Abstract 15144: Current Status of Medication Usage for Cardiovascular Disease and Hypertension in China (PURE-China Study)

Abstract

Objective We aimed to investigate medication usage in individuals with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and hypertension at the community level in China.

Methods The Prospective Urban and Rural Epidemiological (PURE) study recruited 46,285 individuals aged 35-70 years from 115 urban and rural communities between 2005 and 2009. Medical history and drug prescription data were analyzed with standardised questionnaires.

Results Among 2407 participants with self-reported coronary heart disease and 872 with stroke,the rates of using secondary prevention drugs were higher in urban areas than in rural areas (55.7% vs 43.8%, P<0.0001). The proportion of the individuals who took traditional Chinese medicine products are 32.9%, much more than antiplatelet drugs (19.1%), β blockers (6.2%), ACEIs/ARBs (8.6%), or statins (1.7%). Of the proven effective secondary preventive drugs, drug use was higher in urban than in rural areas (antiplatelet drugs 15.2% vs 9.7%, β blockers 8·7% vs 2·4%, ACEIs/ARBs 9.4% vs 7.4%, and statins 2.6% vs 0.4%; all p<0.0001). Among 8521 individuals who were aware of their hypertensive conditions, 64.6% were taking antihypertensive drugs. Traditional compound drugs, which usually combine traditional Chinese medicines and low dose western medicines, were most frequently prescribed (58.6%), followed by CCBs (36.2%), ACEIs/ARBs (17.7%), β blockers (6.5%) and diuretics (4.0%). Compared to individuals in urban area, those living in rural areas were more likely to use traditional compound drugs (49.0% vs 68.5%, p<0·0001). Among those with monotherapy, the proportion of reaching target BP (140/90 mm Hg) varied greatly (34.9% on diuretics, 28.2% on β blockers, 26.4% on ACEIs/ARBs, and 25.7% on traditional compound drugs, respectively).

Conclusion Use of proven effective secondary preventive drugs is quite low in individuals with CVD from Chinese communities. Traditional compound antihypertensive drugs are widely accepted by Chinese people due to their low cost and convenience, especially in rural areas.