Duplicate use of angiotesin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors in a community-dwelling elderly population in Poland

A. Rajska-Neumann, K. Wieczorowska-Tobis, M. Schulz, A. Breborowicz, E. Grzeskowiak, D. G. Oreopoulos

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this paper the data on the duplicate use of ACE inhibitors among a community-dwelling elderly population are presented. Using a questionnaire, 1000 subjects were interviewed concerning the use of drugs, 654 females, mean ± SD age: 72.6 ± 6.5 years. They were divided into two groups: Group A (5%) taking at least two ACE inhibitors (n = 50) and Group B: those who used either a single ACE inhibitor or no ACE inhibitor (n = 950). In Group A, 49 individuals were taking two different ACE inhibitors concomitantly and one was using three. The most commonly used ACE inhibitor was enalapril (29 of 50 subjects). Subjects in Group A consumed significantly more drugs, both of prescription (Rx) and nonprescription (OTC), compared to those in Group B (total means: 8.4 ± 2.8 vs. 6.7 ± 3.2; p < 0.01, Rx means: 6.3 ± 2.5 vs. 5.2 ± 2.8, p < 0.05, OTC means: 2.0 ± 1.6 vs. 1.6 ± 1.5, p < 0.05). Also, they were more likely to have consulted a cardiologist (17/50 vs. 201/950, p < 0.05). The duplicate use of ACE inhibitors in 5% of a population of community-dwelling elderly patients seems to be caused by both poor doctor-doctor communication and polypharmacy. This phenomenon could possibly be dangerous especially when potential additive adverse effects are taken into account.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)295-301
Number of pages7
JournalArchives of Gerontology and Geriatrics
Volume44
Issue numberSUPPL.
DOIs
StatePublished - 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • ACE inhibitors
  • Duplicate use of antihypertensive drugs
  • Inappropriateness of treatment
  • Polypharmacy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Aging
  • Gerontology
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology

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