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Utilisation of angiotensin receptor blockers in Sweden: combining survey and register data to study adherence to

Pia Frisk1, Tor-Olov Mellgren, Niklas Hedberg

  • 1National Corporation of Swedish Pharmacies (Apoteket AB), SE-118 81, Stockholm, Sweden. pia.frisk@apoteket.se

European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology
|August 16, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are frequently prescribed for hypertension in Sweden. However, current prescribing patterns suggest opportunities exist to improve adherence to established treatment guidelines.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) represent a significant therapeutic option for hypertension and heart failure.
  • Treatment guidelines often recommend ARBs for patients intolerant to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) due to cost considerations.
  • Understanding ARB prescribing patterns is crucial for optimizing cardiovascular pharmacotherapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the prescribing patterns of ARBs in Sweden.
  • To investigate the indications, comorbidities, and first-line treatment status of ARB initiation.
  • To compare real-world ARB usage with existing clinical guidelines.

Main Methods:

  • Combined data from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register with patient self-reported survey data.
  • Included 517 patients dispensed ARBs across 55 pharmacies.
  • Analyzed prescription data to determine ARB initiation as first-line therapy and prior antihypertensive use.

Main Results:

  • In 2006, ARBs were dispensed to 3.6% of the Swedish population.
  • The primary indication for ARB use was hypertension, reported by 92% of surveyed patients.
  • Register data indicated that 23% of patients initiated on ARBs had no prior antihypertensive prescriptions, suggesting potential first-line use.

Conclusions:

  • ARBs are widely utilized in Sweden, predominantly for managing hypertension.
  • The findings suggest that adherence to current prescribing guidelines for ARBs could be enhanced.
  • Further research may inform strategies to align ARB prescribing with guideline recommendations.
Abstract

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