Polypharmacy Treatment of Hypertensionin Public Health Centers
Abstract: Hypertension is one of the most prominent
global diseases. Despite the availability of effective therapies, hypertension
remains poorly controlled in Indonesia. In many cases, patient’s noncompliance
may be attributable to the low patients’ knowledge, attitude, and life-style
practices such as polypharmacy. Polypharmacy is defined as the administration
of many drugs at in one prescription. Polypharmacy increases expenses, possible
adverse reaction to a single agent, incidence of drug interactions, and
decreases patient’s compliance This study aimed to identify the practice of
polypharmacy in hypertension treatment in primary health centers.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive observational study was carried
out on 60 patients from two primary health centers in Jatinangor, West Java,
Indonesia in October 2013. Sociodemographic profile, degree of hypertension,
types of antihypertensive drugs, concomitant drugs given together with
antihypertensive drugs, and treatment compliance data were collected and
presented in tables and figures.
Results: The incidence of hypertension was more common among male
patients compared to female patients. Thirty-three patients (55%) have low
compliance to their medication. Twenty-nine patients (48%) received single drug
and 31 patients (52%) received more than one drugs.
Conclusions: The percentage of polypharmacy practice in treating
hypertension in primary health centers is 52%. The most frequently prescribed
anti-hypertensive are angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and
calcium-channel blockers (CCB). Most of hypertensive patients have low
compliance to therapy.
Keywords: Compliance,
hypertension, polypharmacy, public health center
Author: Vasanthi A/P Nayagam,
Afiatin Afiatin, Herri S. Sastramihardja
Journal Code: jpkedokterangg160298
