Researchers found that among African American patients with uncontrolled hypertension, fewer than half were prescribed guideline-recommended first-line therapy with diuretics.
A new study published in the American Journal of Hypertension indicated that a majority of African American patients with uncontrolled hypertension are not being prescribed diuretics.
Data from in-home interviews indicated that of 658 participants with uncontrolled hypertension 5.5% were not prescribed any hypertension medications and only 46% were prescribed a diuretic. Fewer than half who were prescribed 1 or 2 drugs were prescribed a diuretic, an indication that these agents are not being chosen as first- or second-line treatment, as recommended by the JNC-VII guidelines. The study also found that even when a diuretic was prescribed, the regimen in many cases was inadequate.
Given the success of these agents, particularly in the population studied, their low cost, and the wide dissemination of hypertension treatment guidelines, the results call for continued efforts to build professional and patient awareness.
The full study results are available here.