CHANGING TRENDS IN ANTIHYPERTENSIVE THERAPY IN 2 NEW-ENGLAND COMMUNITIES DURING THE 1980S

The prevalence rates and correlates of antihypertensive drug use among individuals with hypertension were determined using data derived from five biennial population-based surveys conducted between 1981 and 199 0 in two New England communities. Point prevalence estimates were dete rmined for nine categories of antihypertensive agents at five time poi nts, and were analyzed by age and sex using multiple logistic regressi on. In the first cross-sectional survey, the prevalence of use per 100 0 individuals with hypertension was 235.4 for diuretics, 57.1 for beta -blockers, 65.5 for combination products, 29.2 for central alpha-agoni sts, 2.8 for peripheral alpha-antagonists, and 8.4 each for adrenergic blockers and direct vasodilators. The prevalence rates for calcium ch annel blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors increased sharply between the third and fourth survey cycles. Significant age- a nd sex-related differences in antihypertensive use were detected.