Treatment patterns among newly diagnosed heart failure patients in general practice

Abstract. Aim: To examine treatment patterns of heart failure (HF) in general practice and to evaluate factors influencing the choice of that treatment, such as age, sex, severity of disease and co-morbidity. Methods: We used previously identified and confirmed incident cases of HF (patients aged 40...
Ausführliche Beschreibung

Abstract. Aim: To examine treatment patterns of heart failure (HF) in general practice and to evaluate factors influencing the choice of that treatment, such as age, sex, severity of disease and co-morbidity. Methods: We used previously identified and confirmed incident cases of HF (patients aged 40–84 years) from the General Practice Research Database in the UK (n=938). We collected recorded information on demographics, co-morbidity and drug treatment prescribed 1 year before and after the incident diagnosis in 1996. Results: Most of the study cohort was over 60 years old and presented with several concomitant diseases. Use of most cardiovascular drugs significantly increased after the diagnosis of HF. There was a greater than threefold increase in the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, while use of nitrates decreased after diagnosis of HF among men. Use of beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers slightly decreased after diagnosis. Conclusion: We found that well-established treatment practices were followed by general practitioners. Severity of the disease favoured use of diuretics and a previous ischaemic heart disease and hypertension favoured use of beta-blockers and aspirin. Women and elderly patients were less likely to receive treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Ausführliche Beschreibung