Prescription Pattern of Antihypertensive Medications and Blood Pressure Control Among Hypertensive Patients in Middle Eastern Countries – A Systematic Review
Keywords:
Prescription pattern of antihypertensives, Blood pressure control, Prescription pattern of antihypertensive drugs, Antihypertensive medications, Blood pressure control in hypertensive patients, Prescription pattern of antihypertensives in middle eastern countries, Blood pressure control among hypertensive patients in middle eastern countriesAbstract
1.1) BackgroundThe prevalence of hypertension all over the world is high, especially among adults. An estimated one-half of the half population which have hypertension do not use medication for the treatment of hypertension there it may cause fatal and have high mortality rate, so by knowing the prescription patterns of hypertension drugs we can evaluate and optimize the adherence to drugs.
1.2) ObjectiveThe review aimed to evaluate the prescribing patterns of antihypertensive drugs in the Middle East and their adherence to guidelines.
1.3) ResultsThe study analyzed 22 articles published between 2003 and 2023, which included a total of 378,101 prescriptions. The results showed that the most commonly prescribed antihypertensive drugs were angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), followed by beta-blockers (BBs), calcium channel blockers (CCBs), and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). The study also found that the use of combination therapy was common in the Middle East, with ACEIs/ARBs and ACEIs/CCBs being the most frequently used combination. The review concluded that the prescribing patterns of antihypertensive drugs in the Middle East were generally consistent with international guidelines such as NICE guidelines. However, there was still room for improvement in terms of adherence to guidelines and the use of combination therapy.
1.4) ConclusionThis systematic review provided an overview of the prescribing patterns of antihypertensive drugs in Middle Eastern countries and the conformity of prescribing antihypertensive drugs according to guidelines. This review concluded that there are areas for the advancement of prescribing practices of antihypertensive drugs in concordance with the latest clinical practice guidelines. To strengthen and assist in prescribing antihypertensive drugs, interventions must be designed and executed.
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