Antihypertensive prescription pattern and determinants of blood pressure control among chronic kidney disease patients

Abstract

Hypertension is associated with an increased rate of progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) to end-stage renal disease. It predicts mortality and adverse cardiovascular outcomes in both pre-dialysis CKD patients and those on renal replacement therapy. Thus, judicious use of antihypertensives and good blood pressure (BP) control may reduce morbidity and mortality among these patients. This study aims to assess the determinants of BP control and antihypertensive drug use patterns in CKD patients. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among CKD patients presenting to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital between April 2023 and January 2024. Recruited patients were classified into CKD stages 3-5, based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate. Clinical data were collected using a structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire. A total of 163 CKD patients were recruited into this study with a mean age of 54.04 ± 14.47 years. A history of hypertension and diabetes was found in 85.9% and 26.4% of the recruited patients, respectively. Poor BP control was observed in 50% of the subjects. Calcium channel blockers were the most frequently prescribed antihypertensive medications across CKD stages (p=0.046), while anemia and elevated serum creatinine levels were associated with poor BP control. These findings emphasize the importance of addressing anemia and elevated serum creatinine levels in the management of CKD patients.

Keywords

Chronic kidney disease / Hypertension / Blood pressure control / Antihypertensives

Funding

None.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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