Choice of first antihypertensive--are existing guidelines ignored?

ABSTRACT

AIMS: To determine adherence to hypertension guidelines in relation to age and diabetes. METHODS: The Irish HSE-PCRS prescribing database identified patients initiating antihypertensive monotherapy in 2005. Logistic regression predicted the likelihood of therapy according to guidelines. RESULTS: The odds ratio (OR) of receiving therapies according to the guideline recommendations in those <55 years vs. > or =55 years was 1.31 (95% CI 1.26, 1.37). Diabetics were more likely than nondiabetics to receive antihypertensives other than beta-adrenoceptor blockers (OR 2.97, 95% CI 2.74, 3.21). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show some adherence to the guidelines in relation to age but selective prescribing of antihypertensives for diabetics.