TY - JOUR
T1 - Factors Associated With the Selection of Anti-Hypertensive Medications
T2 - A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Analysis
AU - Alqurain, Aymen
AU - Aldihani, Arif
AU - Almousa, Hadeel
AU - Alkhalaf, Gofran
AU - Alqurayn, Fatimah
AU - Ameer, Luma
AU - Ghosn, Sherihan
AU - Algoraini, Marwa
AU - Al-Shaibi, Samaher
AU - Alowaywi, Ghadeer
AU - Althabet, Hassan
AU - Ashoor, Reem
AU - Alshnbari, Afnan
AU - Abohelaika, Salah
AU - Alghamdi, Shahad
AU - Alsalman, Abdulkhaliq
AU - Alanazi, Bander
AU - Alomar, Fadhel
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2026. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits non-commercial use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access page (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).
PY - 2026/1/1
Y1 - 2026/1/1
N2 - Background: Hypertension remains a leading modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and effective anti-hypertensive prescribing is essential for optimal management. This study will evaluate the patterns of anti-hypertensive prescriptions, characteristics of specific drug class users, and significant factors influencing prescription choices within a Saudi Arabian cohort. Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study at Al-Qatif Central Hospital included patients aged ≥40 years who attended outpatient cardiology and internal medicine clinics between January 2020 and December 2021. The characteristics of anti-hypertensive medication users and nonusers were compared using descriptive statistics. Logistic regression models were performed to identify factors associated with anti-hypertensive prescribing patterns adjusted for significant covariates, with results presented as adjusted odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Results: About 62% of 5,852 patients were prescribed anti-hypertensive medication, with beta blockers (BBs) and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) being the most prescribed. BBs were primarily prescribed as monotherapy, constituting for 24% of prescriptions. Older patients (≥65 years) were more likely to receive combination therapy, with 17% receiving four anti-hypertensives medications. Diabetes mellitus was positively associated with the prescription of angiotensin receptor blockers (OR = 1.2, P < 0.05) and negatively associated with BBs prescribing (OR = 0.6, P < 0.05). Constipation exhibited a significant association with CCBs prescribing (OR = 1.4, P < 0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrates significant deviations from existing clinical guidelines, notably the overprescription of BBs in the management of hypertension. The findings highlight where doctors need to look more closely at their prescribing habits and suggest to promote the alignment of prescribing practices with emerging evidence-based recommendations.
AB - Background: Hypertension remains a leading modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and effective anti-hypertensive prescribing is essential for optimal management. This study will evaluate the patterns of anti-hypertensive prescriptions, characteristics of specific drug class users, and significant factors influencing prescription choices within a Saudi Arabian cohort. Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study at Al-Qatif Central Hospital included patients aged ≥40 years who attended outpatient cardiology and internal medicine clinics between January 2020 and December 2021. The characteristics of anti-hypertensive medication users and nonusers were compared using descriptive statistics. Logistic regression models were performed to identify factors associated with anti-hypertensive prescribing patterns adjusted for significant covariates, with results presented as adjusted odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Results: About 62% of 5,852 patients were prescribed anti-hypertensive medication, with beta blockers (BBs) and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) being the most prescribed. BBs were primarily prescribed as monotherapy, constituting for 24% of prescriptions. Older patients (≥65 years) were more likely to receive combination therapy, with 17% receiving four anti-hypertensives medications. Diabetes mellitus was positively associated with the prescription of angiotensin receptor blockers (OR = 1.2, P < 0.05) and negatively associated with BBs prescribing (OR = 0.6, P < 0.05). Constipation exhibited a significant association with CCBs prescribing (OR = 1.4, P < 0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrates significant deviations from existing clinical guidelines, notably the overprescription of BBs in the management of hypertension. The findings highlight where doctors need to look more closely at their prescribing habits and suggest to promote the alignment of prescribing practices with emerging evidence-based recommendations.
KW - age difference
KW - anti-hypertensive drugs
KW - drug selection factors
KW - gender difference
KW - hypertension management
KW - prescribing patterns
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105033476418
U2 - 10.1177/10742484261431512
DO - 10.1177/10742484261431512
M3 - Article
C2 - 41869772
AN - SCOPUS:105033476418
SN - 1074-2484
VL - 31
JO - Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics
JF - Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics
ER -