title: Nationwide trends in the prescription of beta-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors after myocardial infarction in Denmark, 1995-2002.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the use of beta-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in Denmark from 1995 to 2002.
  
  
  METHODS
  Information about patients with first AMI aged > or = 30 years and the dispensing of beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors from pharmacies within 30 d from discharge was obtained from the National Patient Registry and the Danish Registry of Medicinal Product Statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Beta-blocker use increased from 38.1% of patients in 1995 to 67.9% in 2002 (OR = 3.85, CI: 3.58-4.13). Women, elderly patients and patients taking loop-diuretics and antidiabetic drugs received beta-blockers less frequently, but patients taking loop-diuretics or antidiabetic drugs had the greatest increase. ACE inhibitor use increased from 24.5 to 35.5% (OR = 1.86, CI: 1.72-2.01). Women, patients aged < 60 years or > or = 80 years and patients not taking loop-diuretics received ACE inhibitors less frequently, but patients not taking loop-diuretics had the greatest increase.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Beta-blocker use increased markedly post-AMI from 1995 to 2002, whereas ACE inhibitor use increased modestly. The results suggested undertreatment of women, elderly patients and people with diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. gg@heart.dk
authors.forename: Gunnar H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Gislason
authors.forename: Steen Z
authors.initials: SZ
authors.lastname: Abildstrom
authors.forename: Jeppe N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
authors.forename: Søren
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
authors.forename: Pernille
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Buch
authors.forename: Ida
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gustafsson
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Friberg
authors.forename: Niels
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gadsbøll
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Køber
authors.forename: Steen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stender
authors.forename: Mette
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Madsen
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Torp-Pedersen
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000367:Age Factors; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D023903:Coronary Restenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D003718:Denmark; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011336:Probability; D012042:Registries; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors