Utilization of antihypertensive drugs among chronic kidney disease patients: Results from the Chinese cohort study of chronic kidney disease (C-STRIDE)

The utilization of antihypertensive drugs plays an important role in blood pressure control among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Limited information was available on how antihypertensive drugs were used among Chinese CKD patients. In the present study, the utilization of antihypertensive drugs among a subgroup of hypertensive participants with a complete record of antihypertensive drug information from the Chinese Cohort Study of Chronic Kidney Disease was analyzed. Among 2213 subjects, 61.7% and 26.5% had their blood pressure controlled to <140/90 mmHg and <130/80 mmHg, respectively. In total, 38.5% were on monotherapy. Of those patients who received combination therapy, 57.8% were treated with a two-drug combination. Renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASIs) were the most commonly prescribed drugs (71.2%). Only 10.2% of the patients were prescribed diuretics. After multivariable adjustment, participants taking RASI were more likely to have their blood pressure controlled to <140/90 mmHg (prevalence ratio (PR) 1.153, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.071-1.240). CKD stage 4 (PR 0.548, 95% CI: 0.434-0.692) was associated with RASIs treatment. Additionally, diabetes (PR 1.498, 95% CI: 1.120-2.004), albumin/creatinine ratio >= 300 mg/g (PR 1.547, 95% CI: 1.020-2.344), and CKD stage 4 (PR 2.022, 95% CI: 1.223-3.343) were associated with diuretic use. The results suggested that combination therapy, diuretics use in general, and utilization of RASIs in advanced CKD stage were insufficient in the current treatment of Chinese hypertensive CKD patients.