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Prescription patterns of ambrisentan in some cities of Colombia
Luis Fernando Valladales-Restrepo1,2, Andrés Gaviria-Mendoza1,2, Manuel Enrique Machado-Duque1,2
1Grupo de Investigación en Farmacoepidemiología y Farmacovigilancia, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira-Audifarma S. A, Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia.
Insights
Real-world evidence shows good adherence to ambrisentan for pulmonary hypertension in Colombia, but one-year persistence was low. Prescribed doses align with guidelines, often in combination with other therapies.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Cardiology
- Real-world evidence studies
Background:
- Ambrisentan, a selective endothelin receptor antagonist, is effective for pulmonary hypertension.
- Real-world usage patterns of ambrisentan in Colombia remain largely undocumented.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prescription patterns of ambrisentan in Colombian patients with pulmonary hypertension.
- To assess adherence and persistence with ambrisentan therapy in a real-world setting.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal descriptive study analyzed ambrisentan prescription data from January 2021 to December 2022.
- Medication Possession Ratio was used to determine 1-year adherence.
- Descriptive statistical analysis was performed on patient and treatment data.
Main Results:
- Sixty-seven patients across 10 Colombian cities were included, with a median age of 51.5 years; 82.1% were female.
- The 1-year adherence rate was 82.2%, while 1-year persistence was 49.3%.
- Average ambrisentan dose was 8.8 mg/day; 76.1% received combination therapy, primarily with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors.
Conclusions:
- Ambrisentan demonstrated good adherence but low 1-year persistence in Colombian patients.
- Dosage and combination therapy patterns align with clinical practice guidelines.
- Real-world data highlights ambrisentan's use in combination therapy for pulmonary hypertension.
Introduction:
Ambrisentan is a selective type A endothelin receptor antagonist that has shown significant effectiveness and safety in the management of patients with pulmonary hypertension. Its use pattern with real-world evidence in Colombia is unknown.
Objective:
The objective of this study is to determine the prescription patterns of ambrisentan in some cities of Colombia.
Methods:
A longitudinal descriptive study on the prescription patterns of ambrisentan in patients with pulmonary hypertension (all the groups) was conducted between January 2021 and December 2022 based on a population database of members of the Colombian Health System. Adherence at 1 year was determined using the Medication Possession Ratio (days the drug was dispensed/days from first dispensing to the end of the follow-up period × 100). Descriptive analysis was carried out.
Results:
Sixty-seven patients taking ambrisentan were identified in 10 cities of the country. The individuals had a median age of 51.5 years (interquartile range-IQR: 39.8-64.0 years), and 82.1% were women. The drug possession rate was 82.2% (IQR: 65.0-96.8%), and persistence at 1 year was present in 49.3% (n = 33) of the cases. The average dose was 8.8 ± 5.0 mg/day, and 76.1% (n = 51) received it in combination therapy, mainly with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (61.2%, n = 41).
Conclusions:
Adherence to ambrisentan was good, but its persistence at 1 year was low. The dosages of the drug used were in accordance with the recommendations of the clinical practice guidelines, and it was used in combination therapy, especially with phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors.
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