Objective: Guidelines recommend prescription of statins in all high-risk patients with hypertension irrespective of their cholesterol levels. We performed a prescription audit in India to determine the application of recommendations.
Methods: A registry-based audit of patients with primary diagnosis of hypertension (n=3073) was performed. Details of co-morbidities and medications were obtained. Patients with known vascular disease were excluded. Patients were classified into subgroups based on risk factors and type of therapy. A multivariate model of risk was developed using clinical data and patients were classified into low, moderate and high risk. Statin prescriptions were divided into low, medium and high intensity based on US guidelines. Descriptive statistics are reported.
Results: Mean age of patients was 59±13 years, 47 % were women and 26 % were less than 50 years age. Diabetes was noted in 31.1 %, current smoking in 1.3 %, obesity in 14.7 % and hypothyroidism in 7.9 %. Statins were prescribed in 41.2 % (95% CI 39.4-42.9%), more in men compared to women (47.7% vs 33.7%, p<0.001). Most of the patients received moderate intensity statins (83.9%). In age-groups >40, 40-59, 60-79 and 80+ years, statins were prescribed in 18.7%, 36.5%, 49.5% and 49.4% respectively (ptrend <0.001). Statins were prescribed in 52.0% diabetics, 60.9% obese, 52.5% smokers and 34.8% hypothyroid. In the multivariate model statins use in low, medium and high risk patients was 28.4%, 46.6% and 55.1% respectively (ptrend <0.001).
Conclusion: In an Indian secondary care practice only half of patients with moderate to high risk uncomplicated hypertension receive statins.
© Journal of the Association of Physicians of India 2011.