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. 2024 Jul 24;19(7):e0307237.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0307237. eCollection 2024.

Prevalence of cardiovascular drug-related adverse drug reactions consultations in UK primary care: A cross-sectional study

Widya N Insani  1   2   3 , Cate Whittlesea  2 , Li Wei  2   4
Affiliations

Prevalence of cardiovascular drug-related adverse drug reactions consultations in UK primary care: A cross-sectional study

Widya N Insani et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) represent a significant barrier to achieve optimal treatment outcomes. Cardiovascular drugs, including antihypertensive drugs, lipid-lowering drugs, and antithrombotic drugs, are among the most prescribed medications in the primary care setting.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of cardiovascular drug-related ADRs consultations in United Kingdom (UK) primary care and identify risk factors of these ADRs.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of cardiovascular drug users between 2000-2019 using UK IQVIA Medical Research Data. ADRs consultations were identified using database screening method employing standardised designated codes. The overall and annual age-standardised prevalence was estimated using direct standardisation method using 2019 mid-year UK population. Risk factors of ADRs consultations were estimated using logistic regression model stratified by therapeutic areas.

Results: The standardised prevalence of consultations related to cardiovascular drugs ADRs was 10.60 (95% CI. 10.46, 10.75) per 1000 patients. Patients aged 70-79 years had the highest occurrence of ADRs consultations. The most frequently drug classes implicated in the ADRs consultations were statins (n = 9,993 events, 27.09%), beta-blockers (n = 8,538 events, 23.15%), ACEIs/ARBs (n = 8,345 events, 22.62%), and aspirin (n = 6,482 events, 17.57%). Risk factors of ADRs consultations were previous history of cardiovascular diseases, e.g., myocardial infarction and stroke; advanced age, comorbidities; diabetes and dyslipidaemia; and polypharmacy.

Conclusions: The burden of cardiovascular drug-related ADRs consultations in primary care was considerable. Statins, beta-blockers, ACEIs/ARBs, and aspirin were the most frequently implicated drug classes. Closer clinical monitoring should be performed for patients affected by the ADRs to mitigate the risk of suboptimal treatment outcomes.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Temporal trend of consultations related to cardiovascular drugs ADRs during the study period.
Fig 2
Fig 2. The burden of consultations related to cardiovascular drugs ADRs per age group.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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