Related Experiment Videos

Descriptive Analysis of the Medication Complexity Among Hypertensive Patients in Tertiary Hospital Cardiology

Yuxiang Pei1, Shuhe Bian2, Kun Wan1

  • 1Executive Office, Medical Supplies Center of People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, China.

Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine
|August 6, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Hypertensive patients in China often have multiple health conditions and take many medications, increasing risks. This study highlights the need for medication safety strategies, especially for elderly patients, to improve care.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Geriatrics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Hypertension management in China involves complex patient profiles.
  • Real-world data is crucial for understanding medication use in chronic diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze comorbidity, polypharmacy, and medication risks in Chinese hypertensive patients.
  • To provide real-world evidence on medication complexity in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study using outpatient prescription data from 56 tertiary hospitals in China (2017).
  • Analysis of diagnosis, medication, potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), and potential drug-drug interactions (pDDIs).

Main Results:

  • 83.3% of patients had at least one comorbidity.
  • Average medication count was 7.44 ± 5.98, increasing with age.
  • 10-15% of elderly patients were exposed to PIMs; 12 significant pDDI pairs were identified.

Conclusions:

  • Multimorbidity and polypharmacy are common in Chinese hypertensive patients.
  • High prevalence of PIMs and pDDIs necessitates targeted medication safety strategies.
  • Recommendations include Medication Therapy Management and deprescribing for elderly patients.
Abstract

Keywords:
comorbiditydrug interactionshypertensioninappropriate prescribingpolypharmacy

Related Concept Videos

Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:30

Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

Hypertension is asymptomatic and also referred to as the "silent killer" until it progresses to a severe stage or causes target organ disease. Patients may experience symptoms stemming from the strain on blood vessels and tissues in various organs or the heart's increased workload.Physical exams might show no abnormalities other than high blood pressure. Signs of vascular damage, when present, correspond to the organs supplied by the affected vessels, leading to target organ damage. For...
Model-Independent Approaches for Pharmacokinetic Data: Noncompartmental Analysis00:59

Model-Independent Approaches for Pharmacokinetic Data: Noncompartmental Analysis

Noncompartmental analyses offer an alternative method for describing drug pharmacokinetics without relying on a specific compartmental model. In this approach, the drug's pharmacokinetics are assumed to be linear, with the terminal phase log-linear. This assumption allows for simplified analysis and interpretation of the drug's behavior in the body.
One important characteristic of noncompartmental analyses is that drug exposure increases proportionally with increasing doses. This relationship...
Hypertension IV: Drug Therapy and Lifestyle Modifications01:28

Hypertension IV: Drug Therapy and Lifestyle Modifications

Multiple classes of antihypertensive medications are employed in treating hypertension. The most commonly recommended first-line treatments include:Thiazide Diuretics, such as chlorthalidone, increase sodium and water excretion from the body, reducing blood volume and blood pressure.Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, like lisinopril, block the conversion of angiotensin I to II, a potent vasoconstrictor lowering blood pressure.Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs) prevent angiotensin II...
Hypertension V: Nursing Management01:23

Hypertension V: Nursing Management

The nursing management of hypertension involves accurately assessing symptoms, making a comprehensive nursing diagnosis, collaborating with patients to set goals, and implementing targeted interventions to mitigate the condition's impact and improve patient well-being.Comprehensive AssessmentThe initial step in nursing care for hypertension involves a thorough patient assessment. It includes evaluating symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, and previous hypertension episodes.
Hypertension I: Introduction01:28

Hypertension I: Introduction

Hypertension is a widespread, long-term medical condition where blood pressure in the arteries remains elevated. It is characterized by systolic blood pressure readings of 130 mm Hg or above or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) readings of 80 mm Hg or higher. Unmanaged hypertension poses significant health risks, making the distinction between primary (or essential) hypertension and secondary hypertension crucial, as their management and implications vary.Primary HypertensionPrimary hypertension,...