Characterising older adults’ risk of harm from blood-pressure lowering medications: a sub-analysis from the PRIME study

Abstract

Aim

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is common amongst frail older people. The evidence base for CVD commonly excludes older adults with multimorbidity or chronic conditions. Most cardiovascular drugs have the potential to lower blood pressure (BP) and therefore cause medication-related harm (MRH). We aimed to identify key clinical and sociodemographic characteristics associated with MRH in older people taking BP-lowering drugs for whatever indication they were prescribed.

Methods

The PRIME (prospective study to develop a model to stratify the risk of MRH in hospitalised elderly patients in the UK) study investigating the incidence and cost of MRH in older people across Southern England. Adults ≥65 years were recruited from five teaching hospitals at hospital discharge and followed up for 8 weeks. Telephone interviews with study participants, review of primary care records and hospital readmissions were undertaken to identify MRH. PRIME study participants taking BP-lowering drugs (as defined by National Institute for Health and Care Excellence hypertension guidelines) were included in this analysis.

Results

One hundred and four (12%) study patients experienced a total of 153 MRH events associated with BP-lowering drugs. Patients on four BP-lowering drugs were five times more likely to experience MRH compared to those taking one medication (OR 4.96; 95%CI 1.63–15.13; P = 0.01). Most MRH events were classified ‘serious’ (80%, n = 123), requiring dose change or treatment cessation. Almost half of MRH were potentially preventable (49%, n = 75).

Conclusion

Polypharmacy from BP-lowering drugs in older people is associated with preventable harm. Decisions around cardiovascular risk reduction should be carefully considered in view of MRH arising from BP-lowering drugs.

Key Points

• Cardiovascular medications with the potential to lower blood-pressure (BP) might cause harm to older adults. The characteristics of those most at risk have been scarcely explored.

• We found no association between sociodemographic characteristics of older adults and their risk of medication-related harm from BP-lowering drugs.

• Patients taking increasing numbers of BP-lowering drugs are at higher risk of medication-related harm in a dose–response relationship.

Background

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) including heart failure (HF), hypertension, and ischaemic heart disease (IHD) is common in multimorbid older adults [1]. Most cardiovascular guidelines and their evidence-base fail to include frail, older multimorbid adults [2]. The Hypertension in the Very Elderly Trial (HYVET) demonstrated that treatment of hypertension in patients over 80 was associated with a 23% reduced risk of CVD mortality [3]. However, HYVET participants had a median frailty index of 0.17 (IQR = 0.11–0.24), indicating that frail adults were under-represented in the study [4].

Cardio-active agents such as beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system antagonists act by lowering blood pressure (BP) to reduce cardiac workload. Meta-analysis of randomised trials show that the use of multiple BP-lowering drugs can be harmful, leading to treatment discontinuation from adverse reactions including hypotension and syncope [5, 6].

Decisions regarding CVD treatment benefit versus medication-related harm (MRH) risk in frail adults require an individualised, person-centred approach; this approach should be highlighted/evident in clinical practice guidance [7, 8].

Although the benefits of BP-lowering drugs have been well-researched, the extent and impact of harm caused have not. In the ‘Prospective study to develop a model to stratify the risk of medication related harm in hospitalized elderly patients in the UK’ (PRIME) patient cohort, BP-lowering drugs were the most prescribed medicines [9]. In this sub-analysis of PRIME, we will quantify serious MRH events such as death, hospitalisation and readmission from BP-lowering drugs [9, 10]. We explore clinical and sociodemographic characteristics predicting MRH in older people taking BP-lowering drugs which is key to optimising treatment decisions and reducing harm.

Methodology

Ethics approval for PRIME was granted by the National Research Ethics Service (REC reference 13/EE/0075).

Design, setting and participants

PRIME was a prospective cohort study that recruited patients aged ≥65, near the time of hospital discharge. The protocol and main results have been previously published [9, 10]. Patients were recruited from five NHS hospitals in the UK between September 2013 and November 2015. Participants were followed up for 8-week post-discharge to identify MRH incidence and cost.

In this sub-analysis, all patients receiving cardio-active drugs whose primary mode of action is by lowering BP were identified. Medication selection was based on National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines on hypertension management and WHO-ATC code [11, 12]. Patients prescribed angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin-II receptor blockers (ACEI/ARBs; WHO-ATC C09), calcium channel blockers (CCBs; WHO-ATC C08), thiazide or thiazide-like diuretics (WHO-ATC CO3A/CO3B), aldosterone antagonists (WHO-ATC C03DA), beta-blockers (WHO-ATC C07) and other antihypertensives (WHO-ATC C02) were included in our analysis.

Outcomes

MRH was defined as harm from adverse drug reactions (ADR), harm from poor adherence and medication errors. This is a modified version of the definition by Strand et al. [13]. MRH incidence was determined by participant/carer interview at 8 weeks, using a structured questionnaire; review of GP records; and prospective review of hospital readmissions.

The Naranjo algorithm [14] was utilised to assess causality of MRH in conjunction with the British National Formulary and Summary of Product Characteristics. Medication adherence was assessed using a modified version of the Morisky scale [15].

MRH events were classified as ‘definite’, ‘probable’, ‘possible’, or ‘doubtful’ when no harm occurred [16–18]. Severity of MRH was graded using the approach of Morimoto et al. [19]: fatal, life-threatening, serious (needing dose change/treatment cessation), significant (MRH that did not meet the above criteria). Preventability of MRH was assessed using the Hallas et al. criteria [20]: ‘definitely preventable’ (treatment inconsistent with best practice or unrealistic), ‘possibly preventable’ (preventable with efforts exceeding obligatory clinical demands), ‘not preventable’, or ‘not able to evaluate’.

Statistical analysis

Baseline characteristics were compared between those who experienced MRH and those who did not experience MRH from BP-lowering medications. A chi-squared test of association was used for categorical data. The Mann–Whitney U test was used for non-normally distributed continuous data. Correlation was determined using Spearman’s rank-order coefficient.

Binary logistic regression was undertaken to assess the association between a range of clinical factors and MRH. Variables found to be statistically significant at P < 0.05 in univariate analysis were selected for inclusion in multivariate analysis. All selected variables were assessed for collinearity and association. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, version 26 (Armonk, NY, IBM Corp). As this is a hypothesis generating analysis, we did not adjust for multiple testing.

Results

Participant characteristics

Eight hundred and forty-one (66%) participants, median age 81 (IQR = 75–86) years, were prescribed BP-lowering drugs. Fifty-two percent (n = 441) had two or more co-morbidities. Fifty-three percent (n = 448) were on two or more BP-lowering drugs; 15% (n = 128) were on three or more drugs. The most prescribed drugs were ACEI/ARBs (57% of participants), beta-blockers (56% of participants) and CCBs (33% of participants; see Table 1).

MRH incidence

One hundred and four (12%) study participants experienced a total of 153 MRH events attributable to BP-lowering drugs. The main MRH events were dizziness (15%), peripheral oedema (14%), falls (13%) and postural hypotension (9%; Supplementary Table 1). ADRs accounted in 84% (n = 128) of MRH events. Non-adherence (4%; n = 6), medication errors (0%; n = 0) or a combination of ADRs, non-adherence and/or medications errors were less common (12%; n = 19; Supplementary Table 2).

ACEI/ARBs (33%; n = 50), CCBs (28%; n = 43) and beta-blockers (22%; n = 34) accounted for most MRH events. The frequencies of other classes of BP-lowering drugs leading to MRH including thiazide/thiazide-like diuretics, aldosterone antagonists and other antihypertensives, such as doxazosin and hydralazine were less frequent (Supplementary Table 1).

Of the 153 MRH events, 35% were definite (n = 54), 25% were probable (n = 38) and 40% were possible (n = 61). Eighty percent of the 153 MRH events were serious (n = 123), requiring dose change or treatment cessation (Supplementary Table 2).

Ten percent (n = 16) of the 153 MRH events were classified ‘definitely preventable;’ 39% (n = 59) were ‘possibly preventable’ and 22% (n = 34) were ‘not preventable’. We were not able to evaluate the MRH preventability in 29% of cases (n = 44).

MRH risk factors

Participants who experienced MRH were more likely to be on multiple BP-lowering drugs (OR 1.63; 95%CI 1.29–2.07). More specifically, participants prescribed a combination of CCBs, ACEI/ARBs and beta-blocker (OR 3.33; 95%CI 1.41–7.86) had the highest odds of experiencing MRH in univariate regression analysis. After adjusting for confounding factors including age and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), only the total number of BP-lowering drugs a patient was taking was significantly associated with MRH (OR 1.45; 95%CI 1.11–1.88; Table 2).

There was a dose–response relationship between the number of BP-lowering drugs and proportion of patients experiencing MRH. Patients on four BP-lowering drugs were five times more likely to experience MRH compared to those only taking one drug (OR 4.96; 95%CI 1.63–15.13; Supplementary Figure 1). Age and CCI were not significantly associated with odds of experiencing MRH (Table 2). There was no correlation between CCI and the number of BP-lowering drugs (r = −0.01; P = 0.84).

Discussion

In this sub-analysis of the PRIME study, 12% of participants experienced MRH. Most events were serious, and 49% were potentially preventable. The likelihood of MRH increases with increasing number of BP-lowering medications; those on four BP-lowering drugs were five times more likely to suffer MRH compared to those on a single drug (OR 4.96; 95%CI 1.63–15.13; Supplementary Figure 1). These findings reinforce that a pro-active approach is warranted to reduce medication burden in frail older people.

Clinicians should adopt an individualised approach to balance the benefits of BP-lowering drugs versus their risk of MRH. Fifty-three percent of our study participants were on two or more BP-lowering drugs. Hypertension trials frequently report polypharmacy to achieve adequate BP control; in ‘The Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial’ (SPRINT) 54% of participants required three or more medications [21], and in HYVET, 50% of participants required two drugs [3]. We also know that complications such as hypotension, syncope and acute kidney injury are more common in those treated more intensely for their BP [21]. In a Cochrane meta-analysis, deprescribing antihypertensives had no impact on all-cause mortality or myocardial infarction. However, the low event rate and small studies made it difficult to make firm conclusions [22].

The current evidence from RCTs in CVD prevention/treatment in older people does not capture the heterogeneity of the older population and need for personalised treatment goals [2, 23]. Our PRIME study cohort is representative of frail older adults; 52% of participants had two or more co-morbidities. One limitation of our study was the fact that we could not elicit the exact indication for BP-lowering drugs use. Our cohort of older frail patients often had multiple indications for their BP-lowering drugs such as HF, hypertension and IHD, as is common in clinical practice. It is crucial to be vigilant when deprescribing in older adults with HF; Halliday et al. showed that 44% of participants developed worsening HF when medications were withdrawn [24]. A personalised approach is required as shown by Luymes et al., who showed that in patients with a low predicted CVD risk, deprescribing is safe in the short term but does not necessarily improve quality of life or reduce healthcare cost [25]. Taking patient preferences into consideration, deprescribing medications can be considered.

Conclusion

Polypharmacy from BP-lowering drugs in frail older people is associated with serious and potentially preventable harm. Decisions around cardiovascular risk reduction must be carefully considered using an individualised approach in view of the possibility of MRH arising from BP-lowering medications.

Acknowledgements of Collaborative Authors

The PRIME study group: Coordinating team: K. Ali (Chief investigator), C. Rajkumar (co-chief investigator), J. G. Davies (chief trial pharmacist), J. Harchowal (trial pharmacist), J. Timeyin (trial coordinator); Steering committee: K. Ali, C. Rajkumar, J. G. Davies, R. Schiff, J. M. Stevenson, T. van der Cammen; Data monitoring committee: K. Ali, C. Rajkumar, J. Timeyin, L. Klus, D. Fatz; End points committee: K. Ali, C. Rajkumar, J. G. Davies, R. Schiff; Lead investigators: K. Ali (Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust), C. Rajkumar (Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust), R. Schiff (St Thomas' Hospital, London), A. Chauhan (Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth), D. Hunt (Worthing Hospital, Worthing); Trial pharmacists: J. M. Stevenson, K. Le Bosquet, St Thomas' Hospital; J. Allen, N. Henderson, N. Henderson, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust; C. Gonzalaz-Cuevas, S. Burke-Adams, Worthing Hospital; N. Khan, K. Yip, Queen Alexandra Hospital; Trial nurses: J. Timeyin, J. Breeds, J. Gaylard, J. Newman, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust; T. Pettifer, St Thomas' Hospital; H. Fox, M. G. Metiu, Worthing Hospital; D. Foord, S. Valentine, T. Dobson, Queen Alexandra Hospital; Trial Statisticians: S. Bremner, S. Nyangoma, W. Banya; Trial Health Economist: J. Raftery.

Declaration of Sources of Funding

This study was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)—Research for Patients Benefit Scheme (PB-PG-0711-25094). The sponsor was Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust. The funder and sponsor had no role in the study design; data collection, analysis, or interpretation; the writing of the report; or the decision to submit the article for publication.

Declaration of Conflicts of Interest

None.

Acknowledgements

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

References