Utilisation of angiotensin receptor blockers in Sweden: combining survey and register data to study adherence to prescribing guidelines.
OBJECTIVE
Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) offer a new treatment alternative for patients with hypertension and heart failure. Due to comparatively high prices, most guidelines suggest ARBs be restricted to patients intolerant to angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi). We analysed the prescribing patterns of ARBs in Sweden by combining prescription register data with patient self-reported data.


METHODS
Survey data from 517 patients dispensed ARBs in 55 pharmacies and data on dispensed prescriptions from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register were used to study indication, comorbidity and whether ARBs were initiated as first-line treatment.


RESULTS
In 2006, ARBs were dispensed to 3.6% of the Swedish population. The survey showed that 92% used them for hypertension. Register data showed that 23% of all patients initiated on an ARB had not been prescribed any other antihypertensive drugs 1 year prior to the initiation.


CONCLUSIONS
ARBs are commonly used in Sweden, mainly to treat hypertension. Adherence to prescribing guidelines may be improved.
Frisk
Pia
P
National Corporation of Swedish Pharmacies (Apoteket AB), SE-118 81, Stockholm, Sweden. pia.frisk@apoteket.se
Mellgren
Tor-Olov
TO
Hedberg
Niklas
N
Berlin
Anita
A
Granath
Fredrik
F
Wettermark
Björn
B
D000368:Aged; D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017723:Drug Utilization Review; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012042:Registries; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden
D057911:Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D055553:Prescription Drugs