title: [Results of an intervention to reduce potentially inappropriate prescriptions of beta blockers and calcium channel blockers].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the frequency of simultaneous prescription of β-blockers and calcium channel blockers, notify the cardiovascular risk of these patients to the health care professionals in charge of them, and achieve a reduction in the number of those who use them.
  
  
  METHODS
  Quasi-experimental, prospective study by developing an intervention on medical prescriptions of patients older than 65 years treated between January 1 and July 30, 2014, affiliated to the Health System in 101 cities in Colombia. A total of 43,180 patients received a β-blocker each month, and 14,560 receiving a calcium channel blocker were identified. Educational interventions were performed and an evaluation was made, using sociodemographic and pharmacological variables, on the number of patients that stopped taking any of the two drugs in the following three months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 535 patients, with a mean age 75.8±6.7 years received concomitant β-blockers plus calcium channel blockers. Modification of therapy was achieved in 235 patients (43.9% of users) after 66 educational interventions. In 209 cases (88.9%) one of the two drugs was suspended, and 11.1% changed to other antihypertensive drugs. The variable of being more than 85 years old (OR: 1.93; 95% CI: 1.07-3.50), and receiving concomitant medication with inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system (OR: 2.16; 95% CI: 1.28-3.65) were associated with increased risk of their doctor changing or stopping the prescription.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  An improved adherence to recommendations for appropriate use of β-blockers and calcium channel blockers by health service providers was achieved. Intervention programs that reduce potentially inappropriate prescriptions for patients treated for cardiovascular disease should be used more frequently.
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Investigación en Farmacoepidemiología y Farmacovigilancia, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira-Audifarma S.A., Pereira, Colombia. Electronic address: machado@utp.edu.co.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Machado-Alba
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Investigación en Farmacoepidemiología y Farmacovigilancia, Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira-Audifarma S.A., Pereira, Colombia.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giraldo-Giraldo
authors.affiliation: Grupo de Investigación en Farmacoepidemiología y Farmacovigilancia, Departamento de Ciencias Básicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Tecnológica de Pereira-Audifarma S.A., Pereira, Colombia.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aguirre Novoa
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension; D057970:Inappropriate Prescribing; D008297:Male; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers
keywords: Administración de terapia de medicación; Adrenergic beta-antagonists; Antagonistas adrenérgicos beta; Bloqueadores de los canales de calcio; Calcium channel blockers; Drug prescriptions; Farmacoepidemiología; Medication therapy management; Pharmacoepidemiology; Prescripciones de medicamentos