Abstract P164: Self-reported Use Of Recommended Calcium Channel Blockers And Diuretics In Non-hispanic Blacks With Hypertension: An Opportunity To Improve Evidence-based Prescribing

Background: Non-Hispanic Blacks (NHBs) have a higher prevalence of hypertension and incidence of cardiovascular events than NH(W)hites and Hispanics. To improve hypertension control and outcomes in NHBs, the U.S. High Blood Pressure (BP, mmHg) Guidelines recommended calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and diuretics over other drug classes as initial therapy in 2014 and 2017. Among adults with hypertension, percentages of NHBs who reported taking CCBs and diuretic monotherapy before and after 2014 were assessed and compared to NHWs and Hispanics. Methods: National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys data in 2-year cycles from 2007-2012 and 2015-2018 were analyzed and included self-identified NHB, NHW, and Hispanic adults ≥18 years with recorded BP values and hypertension defined as self-reported BP medication use in the previous month, which included medication class, e.g., CCBs and diuretics. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the independent contribution of NHB race/ethnicity to prevalence of CCB and diuretic use as monotherapy. Results: Self-reported CCB or diuretic monotherapy did not increase significantly from 2007-2012 to 2015-2018 among NHBs (44% vs. 50%, p=0.12) or Hispanics (22% vs 29%, p=0.12) and a non-significant decline in NHWs (26% vs 22%, p=0.14). NHBs were more likely to report taking CCBs or diuretics as monotherapy than NHWs or Hispanics in both time periods (p Conclusions: NHBs had a non-significant increase in self-reported CCB or diuretic as monotherapy from 2007-2012 to 2015-2018, suggesting limited impact for this prescribing recommendation in the 2014 and 2017 High BP Guidelines. NHBs more often reported CCB or diuretic monotherapy than NHWs and Hispanics in both time periods, suggesting some clinicians were aware of evidence prior to the 2014 Guideline. Yet, half of NHBs did not report taking CCBs or diuretics as monotherapy in 2015-2018, indicating further opportunity to prescribe evidence-based initial therapy in NHBs that could improve BP control, cardiovascular outcomes and health equity.