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Sex Differences in Clinical Parameters, Pharmacological and Health-Resource Utilization in a Population With
Ana Lear-Claveras1, Bárbara Oliván-Blázquez1,2,3, Ana Clavería3,4,5
1Aragonese Research Group in Primary Care (Grupo Aragonés de Investigación en Atención Primaria/GAIAP), Aragón Health Research Institute, Zaragoza, Spain.
Insights
Hypertension patients experienced minor clinical changes post-lockdown, with lifestyle shifts and healthcare access issues not significantly impacting their health or quality of life. This study tracked clinical and pharmacological parameters in hypertensive individuals.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Public Health
- Nephrology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns significantly altered lifestyles and healthcare access.
- Understanding the impact on chronic conditions like hypertension is crucial for public health management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess changes in clinical, pharmacological, and healthcare resource utilization in hypertensive patients before and after the COVID-19 lockdown.
- To evaluate the health outcomes and quality of life in this population, excluding those with COVID-19.
Main Methods:
- An observational, real-world data study involving 245,979 hypertensive individuals over 16 years old in Aragon, Spain.
- Analysis of clinical parameters (blood pressure, eGFR, creatinine, lipids), antihypertensive drug use, and healthcare resource utilization.
- Statistical analysis using Student's T-test and Chi-squared test to compare pre- and post-lockdown periods.
Main Results:
- A clinically insignificant worsening of systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), renal function, and triglycerides was observed in women.
- Men showed a lesser degree of worsening in DBP and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).
- Antihypertensive drug use and healthcare resource utilization remained below pre-pandemic levels for six months post-lockdown.
Conclusions:
- Despite lifestyle changes and healthcare access challenges, the health and quality of life of hypertensive patients were not substantially compromised.
- The findings suggest resilience in this patient group, but continued monitoring is warranted.
Abstract:
Objectives: Determine the changes in clinical, pharmacological and healthcare resource use parameters, between the 6 months prior to the lockdown and the 6 months following its end, in a population with hypertension who did not have a diagnosis of COVID-19. Methods: Real world data observational study of 245,979 persons aged >16 years with hypertension in Aragon (Spain). Clinical (systolic-diastolic blood pressure, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), blood creatinine, cholesterol, triglycerides and anthropometric measures); pharmacological (diuretics, calcium channel antagonists, and ACE inhibitors); and utilization of healthcare resources were considered. We performed the Student's T-test for matched samples (quantitative) and the Chi-squared test (qualitative) to analyze differences between periods. Results: SBP, DBP, parameters of renal function and triglycerides displayed a significant, albeit clinically irrelevant, worsening in women. In men only DBP and eGFR showed a worsening, although to a lesser extent than in women. Certain antihypertensive drugs and health-resource utilization remained below pre-pandemic levels across the 6 months post-lockdown. Conclusion: Changes in lifestyles, along with difficulties in access to routine care has not substantially compromised the health and quality of life of patients with hypertension.
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