[Regional differences in drug use in relation to the causes]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Pharmacology
• Public Health

Background:

• Cardiovascular diseases, including coronary heart disease and hypertension, are major public health concerns.
• Medication adherence and prescribing patterns can vary significantly based on geographical location and socioeconomic factors.
• Understanding regional drug utilization is crucial for optimizing cardiovascular disease management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the patterns of drug use for coronary heart disease and hypertension between Warsaw and Tarnobrzeg province.
• To identify differences in the types and frequency of medications prescribed for cardiovascular conditions in two distinct Polish regions.

Main Methods:

• A population-based study involving a random sample of men and women aged 35-64 years from Warsaw and Tarnobrzeg province.
• Data collection aligned with the POL-MONICA studies methodology.
• Analysis of drug utilization, including specific drug classes and daily defined doses (DDD/1000 inhabitants/day).

Main Results:

• Overall drug use was higher in Warsaw (23%) compared to Tarnobrzeg province (12.1%).
• Drug use for coronary heart disease was 4.5-fold higher in Warsaw, with nitrates, curantyl, and beta-blockers being most common.
• Hypotensive drug use in Warsaw was double that in Tarnobrzeg province, despite similar hypertension prevalence, with significant regional differences observed in women's drug choices.

Conclusions:

• Significant regional disparities exist in the utilization of medications for coronary heart disease and hypertension between Warsaw and Tarnobrzeg province.
• Prescribing patterns for cardiovascular conditions differ notably, suggesting potential variations in treatment guidelines or access to care.
• Further research is warranted to explore the underlying reasons for these observed geographical differences in drug use.