Assessment of Drug Utilisation Patterns in Hypertensive Patients Attending Outpatient Departments in a tertiary care hospital in North Karnataka

Background: Hypertension is one of the most common chronic non-communicable diseases and a major contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality worldwide. Appropriate antihypertensive drug therapy plays a crucial role in achieving optimal blood pressure control and preventing long-term complications such as stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease. Drug utilisation studies are important tools for evaluating prescribing trends, rationality of therapy, adherence to standard treatment guidelines, and patterns of medication use in clinical practice. Assessment of drug utilisation patterns among hypertensive patients helps identify commonly prescribed antihypertensive agents, prevalence of monotherapy and combination therapy, prescribing practices, polypharmacy trends, and adherence to evidence-based recommendations. Such studies are particularly relevant in tertiary care settings where patients often present with multiple comorbidities requiring individualized pharmacological management. The aim is to assess the drug utilisation patterns among hypertensive patients attending outpatient departments of a tertiary care hospital. The objective is to evaluate the demographic profile of hypertensive patients attending outpatient departments. To analyze the pattern of antihypertensive drug prescribing. To assess the prevalence of monotherapy and combination therapy among hypertensive patients. To evaluate associated comorbidities and concomitant medication use. To assess prescribing indicators and rationality of antihypertensive therapy. Material and Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in the outpatient departments of a tertiary care teaching hospital in, North Karnataka, India over a period of 12 months. A total of 220 hypertensive patients receiving antihypertensive therapy were included in the study. Detailed demographic data, duration of hypertension, associated comorbidities, and antihypertensive drugs prescribed, dosage forms, frequency of administration, combination therapy patterns, and concomitant medications were recorded using a structured data collection form. Prescriptions were analyzed according to World Health Organization prescribing indicators and standard hypertension treatment guidelines. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods, and results were expressed as frequencies, percentages, mean, and standard deviation wherever appropriate. Results: The majority of hypertensive patients belonged to the 51–60 years age group, with male predominance observed in the study population. Calcium channel blockers and angiotensin receptor blockers were the most commonly prescribed antihypertensive drugs. Combination therapy was prescribed more frequently than monotherapy, particularly among patients with longstanding hypertension and associated comorbidities. Diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia were the most commonly associated comorbid conditions. Most prescriptions were found to be rational and compliant with standard hypertension management guidelines. Polypharmacy was observed more commonly among elderly hypertensive patients with multiple comorbidities. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that calcium channel blockers and angiotensin receptor blockers were the most frequently prescribed antihypertensive agents in outpatient settings. Combination therapy was commonly utilized for better blood pressure control, particularly among patients with associated comorbidities. Drug utilisation studies play an important role in evaluating prescribing practices and promoting rational use of antihypertensive medications. Periodic prescription audits and adherence to evidence-based treatment guidelines may help optimize hypertension management and improve patient outcomes.

Keywords: Hypertension; Drug utilisation; Antihypertensive drugs; Prescription pattern; Outpatient department; Polypharmacy; Rational drug use; Combination therapy; Pharmacotherapy; Tertiary care hospital.