engleski

Hypertension control and antihypertensive drugs usage in Croatia

Introduction: Hypertension is among the most common reasons for an outpatient visit but epidemiological studies from different countries have shown that patients with well-controlled blood-pressure (BP) represent only a small fraction of the hypertensive population. So the aim of our study was to investigate hypertension control and antihypertensive drugs usage in Croatian hypertensive patients. Methods: In this investigation the patients from different parts of Croatia were included according to the study protocol (non-institutionalized patients with physician-diagnosed hypertension, treated with antihypertensive medications for at least 6 months), and a specially prepared questionnaire was used. Results: We have included 822 hypertensive patients (male 45%). A well-controlled BP in this hypertensive population treated with antihypertensive drugs was in 23% of patients. Patients from settlements less distant from the hospital as well as patients from urban centers have significantly lower average systolic BP. Drugs were used as monotherapy in 51% of patients. Conclusion: The results of hypertension control in Croatia are not satisfactory and there is a general priority for improving the quality of hypertension care. Special attention should be given to non urban patients living far from the hospital.

antihypertensive drugs usage; Croatia

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