title: Changing trends in antihypertensive therapy in two New England communities during the 1980s.
abstract: The prevalence rates and correlates of antihypertensive drug use among individuals with hypertension were determined using data derived from five biennial population-based surveys conducted between 1981 and 1990 in two New England communities. Point prevalence estimates were determined for nine categories of antihypertensive agents at five time points, and were analyzed by age and sex using multiple logistic regression. In the first cross-sectional survey, the prevalence of use per 1000 individuals with hypertension was 235.4 for diuretics, 57.1 for beta-blockers, 65.5 for combination products, 29.2 for central alpha-agonists, 2.8 for peripheral alpha-antagonists, and 8.4 each for adrenergic blockers and direct vasodilators. The prevalence rates for calcium channel blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors increased sharply between the third and fourth survey cycles. Significant age- and sex-related differences in antihypertensive use were detected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston 02881.
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Hume
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Barbour
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Willey
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Assaf
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Lapane
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Carleton
mesh_terms: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012237:Rhode Island; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D000316:Adrenergic alpha-Agonists; D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D004338:Drug Combinations