Antihypertensive drug use and blood pressure control among in-patients with hypertension in a Nigerian tertiary healthcare centre

Background: Hypertension is a risk factor for coronary heart disease, renal failure, stroke and death if not detected early and treated appropriately. Pattern of drug use provides information on quality of use by comparing the use of drugs with recommended guidelines. This study assessed the pattern of drug use and blood pressure (BP) control among in-patients with hypertension. Methods: This was a retrospective study carried out on hospitalised patients with hypertension in a tertiary health care centre. Patients’ demographic data, clinical findings, and prescription pattern were documented. The average of three consecutive blood pressure (BP) readings prior to discharge was used to assess BP control. Results: Of 162 patients, 27 (16.7%) and 62 (38.3%) patients were admitted with moderate and severe hypertension respectively. One hundred and fifty three (94.4%) patients were on antihypertensive drugs, out of which 32 (20.9%) had monotherapy, 62 (40.5%) had two antihypertensive combinations, 59 (38.6%) had three or more antihypertensive combinations. The order of antihypertensive drugs use was calcium channel blocker (CCBs) 114 (70.4%), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) 100 (61.7%), diuretics 98 (60.5%), centrally acting agent 24 (14.8%), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) 8 (4.9%), and β-blockers (BB) 8 (4.9%). Blood pressure control was achieved in 48.8% of the patients’ population. Factors that negatively influence blood pressure control were presence of co-morbidity (p=0.027). Factor that positively influence blood pressure control was dietary lifestyle modification (p=0.009). Conclusions: The use of antihypertensive drugs was in accordance with treatment guidelines, but blood pressure was achieved in 48.8% of patients.