Prescription of antihypertensive agents in the treatment of hypertension in diabetic nephropathy patients on hemodialysis

Background: All the patients with diabetic nephropathy have inherent hypertension and uncontrolled hypertension leads to deterioration in the kidney disease speedily. Aims and objectives were to analyze the prescription of antihypertensive agents in the treatment of hypertension in diabetic nephropathy patients on hemodialysis. Methods: The study was conducted on diabetic nephropathy patients on maintenance hemodialysis, in Sri Aurobindo Institute of Medical Sciences, Indore (M.P.). We had included 73 diabetic nephropathy patients on maintenance hemodialysis, who provided their consent for participation in the study. Pearson coefficient of correlation was used for finding the correlation. Unpaired ‘t’ test was applied for intergroup mean comparison. A p value of <0.05 was taken as statistically significant. Results: Total 73 diabetic nephropathy patients were included, with 80.8% being males. Mean age was 57.74±8.44 years. Mean duration of dialysis was 32.06±35.84 months. Calcium channel blockers was given in 91.8% patients, followed by beta blockers in 61.6%. Other antihypertensives used had lower prevalence. 65.8% patients required combination of 1-3 antihypertensives, 24.7% required 4-5 antihypertensives for control of hypertension. The mean number of antihypertensive medications was comparable between the two genders (p>0.05). An inverse and statistically not significant correlation was seen between duration of dialysis; age and use of multiple antihypertensive medications (p>0.05). Conclusions: A strong association has been reported by many between hypertension and diabetic nephropathy. It is imperative that hypertension is well controlled in all the patients of diabetic nephropathy. This will slow down the progression of kidney disease and improve the quality of life in patients with diabetic nephropathy.