Fixed Versus Free Combinations of Antihypertensive Drugs: Analyses Of Real-World Data Of Persistence With Therapy In Italy
Articolo
Data di Pubblicazione:
2019
Citazione:
Fixed Versus Free Combinations of Antihypertensive Drugs: Analyses Of Real-World Data Of Persistence With Therapy In Italy / D. Putignano, V. Orlando, V.M. Monetti, G. Piccinocchi, U.M. Musazzi, R. Piccinocchi, P. Minghetti, E. Menditto. - In: PATIENT PREFERENCE AND ADHERENCE. - ISSN 1177-889X. - 13(2019 Nov 11), pp. 1961-1969.
Abstract:
Purpose: To analyse the pattern of use and cost of antihypertensive drugs in new users in an Italian population, and explore the patient/treatment factors associated with the risk of therapy discontinuation. Patients and methods: In this retrospective study, information was collected from a population-based electronic primary-care database. Persistence with medication use 1 year from therapy initiation was evaluated for each user using the gap method. Each new user was classified according to his/her pattern of use as: “continuer”, “discontinuer” “switching” or “add-on”. A Cox regression model was used to analyse the factors influencing therapy discontinuation. Primary-care costs comprised specialists’ visits, diagnostic procedures and pharmacologic therapies. Results: Among 14,999 subjects included in persistence analyses, 55.1% of cases initially started on monotherapy were classified as discontinuers vs 36.5% of cases taking combination therapy (42.3% vs 32.7%, respectively, for free and fixed combinations, P < 0.01). Old age, high cardiovascular risk and being in receipt of fixed-combination therapy were associated with greater persistence. Overall, the primary-care cost/person/year of hypertension management was ∼€95.3 (IQR, 144.9). The monotherapy cost was €88 per patient (IQR, 132.9), and that for combination therapy was €151±148.3. The median cost/patient with a fixed combination was lower than that for a free combination (€98.4 (IQR, 155.3) and €154.9 (IQR, 182.6), respectively). Conclusion: The initial type of therapy prescribed influences persistence. Prescribing fixed combinations might be a good choice as initial therapy.
Tipologia IRIS:
01 - Articolo su periodico
Keywords:
drug-utilization; adherence; fixed combination; hypertension
Elenco autori:
D. Putignano, V. Orlando, V.M. Monetti, G. Piccinocchi, U.M. Musazzi, R. Piccinocchi, P. Minghetti, E. Menditto
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