Use of antihypertensive medications among elderly patients with metabolic syndrome attending family practice clinic

Objective: to study the frequency of metabolic syndrome according to the ATPIII criteria among elderly people attending the family practice clinic at the Jordan University Hospital, and to investigate the pattern of antihypertensive medications used for patients with metabolic syndrome. Design: A total of 635 elderly people (298 males and 337 females) aged 60 years or more attending family practice clinic at Jordan University Hospital. Materials and methods: Elderly patients included were studied regarding the frequency of metabolic syndrome and its individual components according to the ATPIII criteria. Antihypertensive medications used by elderly patients with metabolic syndrome were also investigated. Results: The frequency of metabolic syndrome among the study patients was found to be 46.6%. Hypertension was the most frequent risk factor among all patients including males and females (58% in the whole sample, 58.7% in males and 57.3% in females). All risk factors except hypertension were significantly more frequent among patient with metabolic syndrome compared to those with no metabolic syndrome. The most commonly used antihypertensive medications were the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (41.5%), followed by beta blockers (34.6%), calcium channel blockers (33%), and finally angiotensin receptor blockers and thiazide diuretics (both 13.3%). Conclusion: The frequency of metabolic syndrome among elderly patients included in the study was relatively high, which highlights the need to take some action to combat the syndrome. Hypertension in particular showed the highest frequency among all risk factors. Optimum control of hypertension by following the guidelines is essential in this context to better achieve control without adversely affecting the metabolic syndrome out come. Key words: elderly, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, medications, control.