Factors influencing the switch in the use of antihypertensive medications
Corresponding Author
C.-C. Chou
Department of Family Medicine, 1 Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Public Health, 2 National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Dr Chih-Chieh Chou, Department of Family Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center 325, sec. 2, Cheng Gong Road, Taipei 114, Taiwan, R.O.C. Tel.: +886 2 8792 7120 Fax: +886 2 8792 7057 Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorM.-S. Lee
Department of Family Medicine, 1 Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Public Health, 2 National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Search for more papers by this authorC.-H. Ke
Department of Family Medicine, 1 Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Public Health, 2 National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Search for more papers by this authorM.-H. Chuang
Department of Family Medicine, 1 Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Public Health, 2 National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
C.-C. Chou
Department of Family Medicine, 1 Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Public Health, 2 National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Dr Chih-Chieh Chou, Department of Family Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center 325, sec. 2, Cheng Gong Road, Taipei 114, Taiwan, R.O.C. Tel.: +886 2 8792 7120 Fax: +886 2 8792 7057 Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorM.-S. Lee
Department of Family Medicine, 1 Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Public Health, 2 National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Search for more papers by this authorC.-H. Ke
Department of Family Medicine, 1 Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Public Health, 2 National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Search for more papers by this authorM.-H. Chuang
Department of Family Medicine, 1 Tri-Service General Hospital, School of Public Health, 2 National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
Search for more papers by this authorSummary
The present study was undertaken to explore factors associated with observance of prescribed antihypertensive medications. Secondary data analysis utilising ambulatory claims of the Taiwan National Health Insurance involved all initially treated hypertensive patients (n = 565,048) from June 1, 1997 to June 30, 1998. The main outcome measure was the statistical analysis of factors prompting medication switch and dropout rates. The overall continuity rate was 51%. Specific continuity rates were 40% for calcium antagonists, 36% for angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, 35% for beta-blockers and 29% for diuretics. Less than 30% of patients changed medications and more than 20% of patients changed clinics. The change increased the likelihood of switching medications sevenfold. Switch was minimal for calcium antagonists. Patients taking calcium antagonists were the least likely to switch medications and had the lowest dropout rate. Changing clinics was the most influential medication switch factor.
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