PRESCRIBING PATTERN OF ANTIHYPERTENSIVES AT A TERTIARY HEALTHCARE FACILITY IN NORTH EASTERN NIGERIA

N. Y. Ikunaiye, S. J. Madu, S. I. Yakubu* and J. Muazu

Appropriate treatment of hypertension using evidence-based guidelines significantly reduces cadiovascular mobidity and mortality. This retrospective survey was aimed at assessing the prescription pattern of antihypertensive medications in order to ascertain the appropriateness and the extent of adherence to the guidelines. Details on demorgraphy, blood pressure, prescription including number of antihypertensives and number of all medications at diagnosis and at last visit as well as documented co-morbidities/compelling indication were captured from the patients folders. The results highlight high prevalence of hypertension in females (65.69%) compared to males (34.31%). At diagnosis, most female patients presented with stage 2 hypertension while males presented with stage 1 hypertension based on Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of Hypertension (JNC 7) classification of hypertension. Although monotherapy with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) was considerable at both visits, polytherapy was dorminant. Thus, prescribers in this healthcare facility adhered to drug treatment guidelines for hypertension.