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 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.
Hiitola
P K
PK
Department of Social Pharmacy, University of Kuopio, Finland. paivi.hiitola@uku.fi
Enlund
H
H
Sulkava
R O
RO
Hartikainen
S A
SA
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004077:Digoxin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D005387:Finland; D018577:Homebound Persons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D007326:Institutionalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009566:Nitrates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017741:Survivors; D013997:Time Factors; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D009566:Nitrates; D014859:Warfarin; D004077:Digoxin; D001241:Aspirin