Changes in the use of cardiovascular medicines in the elderly aged 75 years or older – a population-based Kuopio 75+ study

Objective: The aim of this population-based cohort study was to examine the changes in the regular use of cardiovascular medication among the elderly aged 75 years or more in Finland in 1998 and 2003. Methods: The study population (n = 700) was a random sample of all persons aged 75 years or more living in Kuopio, in eastern Finland. Of them, 601 persons participated in 1998. The surviving persons (n=339) were re-examined in 2003. Of them 85% (n = 289) were home-dwelling and 15% (n = 50) lived in institutional care. Data on their use of medication and their physical and mental health was collected from interviews conducted by trained nurses. Results: From 1998 to 2003 regular use of one or more cardiovascular medicine increased from 80% to 87% among all the survivors (n=339, P < 0-001). The mean number of regularly used cardiovascular medicines increased from 2-1 (95% CI 1-9-2-3) to 2-7 (95% CI 2-5-2-9, P < 0-001) during the follow-up period. The most commonly used cardiovascular medicines were beta-blocking agents. The proportion of users of beta-blocking agents was in 1998 45% and in 2003 51%. The proportion of users of diuretics increased from 27% to 40% (P < 0-001), users of Received 20 September 2006, Accepted 10 February 2007 Correspondence: Paivi K. Hiitola, Department of Social Pharmacy, University of Kuopio, Box 1627, FIN-70211 Kuopio, Finland. Tel.: +358 40 7384 367; fax: +358 17 162 515; e-mail: paivi.hiitola@uku.fi cardiac therapy from 35% to 43% (P < 0.001), users of ACE inhibitors and AT 1 receptor antagonists from 20% to 30% (P < 0-001) and users of lipid modifying agents from 7% to 12%. Conclusions: The use of cardiovascular medicines was common among elderly persons. The proportion of users increased with age and over time. A large proportion of elderly persons would need medication monitoring focusing on cardiovascular medication.