Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on initiation of antihypertensive drugs in Sweden: an interrupted time series study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Antihypertensives reduce the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke. Restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic limited access to healthcare, which may have had a negative impact on drug prescribing. This study aimed to assess the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the initiation of antihypertensive drugs.

Design

Interrupted time series study using a segmented linear regression model.

Setting

Swedish population assessed through linked national healthcare registers.

Participants

720 300 new users of antihypertensives.

Intervention

March 2020, COVID-19 pandemic onset.

Main outcomes measures

The change in the initiation of antihypertensives expressed as monthly cumulative incidence, stratified by age and sex. Data on dispensed prescriptio

SUBMITTER: Tomas A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11487799 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature