CONTROL OF HYPERTENSION IN THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA

Rok Accetto; Aleš Žemva; Primož Dolenc

Rok Accetto Klinični oddelek za hipertenzijo, Klinični center, Bolnišnica dr. Petra Držaja, Vodnikova 62, 1525 Ljubljana
Aleš Žemva Klinični oddelek za hipertenzijo, Klinični center, Bolnišnica dr. Petra Držaja, Vodnikova 62, 1525 Ljubljana
Primož Dolenc Klinični oddelek za hipertenzijo, Klinični center, Bolnišnica dr. Petra Držaja, Vodnikova 62, 1525 Ljubljana

Keywords: , hypertension, treatment, adverse effects of drugs, adherence

Abstract

Background. It has been reported from many countries that blood pressure is well controlled (< 130/85 and < 140/90 after 65 years of age) in low percentage of hypertensive patients. The purpose of the study was to assess, how efficient we are in control of hypertension and to evaluate the tolerability of antihypertensive drugs in Slovenia.

Methods. The data were obtained by means of a questionnaire. The survey was performed in January and February 1999 and 2244 hypertensive patients and 207 doctors participated in it. We were interested in the level of blood pressure, the drugs taken for hypertension and their adverse effects. Particular attention was paid to the action undertaken by the doctor either in case of uncontrolled blood pressure or adverse side effects of the drugs.

Results. In only 9.1% of patients blood pressure was well controlled. 22.2% of patients spontaneously reported adverse effects of the medication. If the patients were asked about adverse effects, 31.5% of patients confirmed the presence of these effects. If adverse effects were read from a list of symptoms, 63% of patients decided that they had one or more symptoms mentioned on the list. In 35.3% of patients their doctor felt that these symptoms were really related to the antihypertensive medication. Treatment was adjusted or changed in 35% of patients with uncontrolled blood pressure and in 21% of patients with adverse effects.

Conclusions. The study has demonstrated that the blood pressure control rate is low in our population. One of the reasons for that are adverse effects of antihypertensive drugs. The study has shown a gap between patients’ and physician’s perception of adverse effects. Therefore, adherence to treatment can be improved by prescribing drugs with least adverse effects.

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