[Statin prescribing in the City of Zagreb (2001-2006) and their role in secondary prevention of cardiovascular events].
BACKGROUND
Cardiovascular drugs account for 40% of total outpatient drug utilization in the City of Zagreb. Among them, utilization of the group of hypolipemics showed greatest rise from 2001 to 2006.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to investigate outpatient utilization of hypolipemics in the City of Zagreb during the 2001-2006 period and to assess the quality of prescribing these drugs in primary health care.


METHODS
The number of defined daily doses (DDD) and DDD per 1000 Zagreb inhabitants per day (DDD/1000/day) were calculated on the basis of data on the number of packages of each individual hypolipemic (C10) for each study year. Data on the rate of hospitalization for the leading cardiovascular complications were collected as indirect indicators of the statin prescribing quality.


RESULTS
The utilization of hypolipemics was 33.03 DDD/1000/day in 2001 and 72.38 DDD/1000/day in 2006, yielding an almost twofold rise. Two drugs, simvastatin and atorvastatin, predominated in the utilization of statins with 93%. From 2001 to 2006, the utilization of simvastatin showed a 30% increase and that of atorvastatin more than sevenfold increase. During the study period, the overall rate of hospitalization for cardiovascular disorders decreased by 18.5%.


CONCLUSIONS
The decreasing tendency recorded in hospitalization for cardiovascular diseases points to the improved quality of secondary prevention, including statins. The high rate of hospitalization for hypertension reflects inadequate primary prevention of cardiovascular disorders.
Stimac
Danijela
D
Sluzba za promicanje zdravlja, Zavod za javno zdravstvo Dr. Andrija Stampar, Zagreb, Hrvatska. danijela.stimac@stampar.hr
Culig
Josip
J
John
Velimir
V
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004363:Drug Utilization; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055502:Secondary Prevention
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors