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BMC Primary Care
Published in: BMC Primary Care 1/2004

Open Access 01-12-2004 | Research article

Evidence-based cardiovascular care in the community: A population-based cross-sectional study

Authors: Wayne Putnam, Frederick I Burge, Beverley Lawson, Jafna L Cox, Ingrid Sketris, Gordon Flowerdew, David Zitner

Published in: BMC Primary Care | Issue 1/2004

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Abstract

Background

Ischaemic heart disease and congestive heart failure are common and important conditions in family practice. Effective treatments may be underutilized, particularly in women and the elderly. The objective of the study was to determine the rate of prescribing of evidence-based cardiovascular medications and determine if these differed by patient age or sex.

Methods

We conducted a two-year cross-sectional study involving all hospitals in the province of Nova Scotia, Canada. Subjects were all patients admitted with ischaemic heart disease with or without congestive heart failure between 15 October 1997 and 14 October 1999. The main measure was the previous outpatient use of recommended medications. Chi-square analyses followed by multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to examine age-sex differences.

Results

Usage of recommended medications varied from approximately 60% for beta-blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors to 90% for antihypertensive agents. Patients aged 75 and over were significantly less likely than younger patients to be taking any of the medication classes. Following adjustment for age, there were no significant differences in medication use by sex except among women aged 75 and older who were more likely to be taking beta-blockers than men in the same age group.

Conclusions

The use of evidence-based cardiovascular medications is rising and perhaps approaching reasonable levels for some drug classes. Family physicians should ensure that all eligible patients (prior myocardial infarction, congestive failure) are offered beta-blockers or ACE inhibitors.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Evidence-based cardiovascular care in the community: A population-based cross-sectional study
Authors
Wayne Putnam
Frederick I Burge
Beverley Lawson
Jafna L Cox
Ingrid Sketris
Gordon Flowerdew
David Zitner
Publication date
01-12-2004
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Primary Care / Issue 1/2004
Electronic ISSN: 2731-4553
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2296-5-6

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