General practitioners' opinion on antihypertensive drugs deprescribing
https://doi.org/10.18705/1607-419X-2026-2570
EDN: LFPJGW
Abstract
The aim of the study was to characterize the attitude of general practitioners towards the cancellation of antihypertensive drug prescription in elderly patients and to identify the subjective main reasons for and barriers to deprescribing.
Design and methods. The cross-sectional study included 104 general practitioners who completed an anonymous face-to-face survey.
Results and discussion. 73,1 % of respondents were internists, 3,8 % specialized in geriatrics, and 23,1 % were doctors of other specialties. Most respondents (73,1 %) had more than 10 years of medical experience. 34,6 % of doctors consider clinical episodes of hypotension to be common during antihypertensive treatment in elderly and senile patients, but only 15,4 % perform survey to identify hypotension, and only 7,7 % conduct an orthostatic test. Most physicians (65,4 %) either do not conduct or rarely conduct a test for the assessment for orthostatic hypotension, and 34,6 % rarely conduct a survey to identify hypotension symptoms. The following were cited as reasons for deprescribing: a decrease in systolic blood pressure to less than 90 mmHg (34,6 %), falls (11,8 %), and less frequently (3,8 % each) — frailty, dizziness, inability to selfcare, and cognitive impairment. More than 40 % of respondents found it difficult to identify reasons for revising antihypertensive therapy. Overall, physicians' lack of awareness about the need for identification of adverse reactions and the causes of deprescribing can be considered barriers to drug deprescribing in elderly patients.
About the Authors
O. N. AntropovaRussian Federation
Oxana N. Antropova, MD, PhD, DSc, Professor, Professor of the Department of Therapy and Geriatrics
40 Lenin str., Barnaul, 656038 Phone: +7 3852 20-12-79
I. V. Osipova
Russian Federation
Irina V. Osipova, MD, PhD, DSc, Head, Department of Therapy and Geriatrics
Barnaul
A. A. Molchanova
Anna A. Molchanova, MD, PhD, Associate Professor, Associate Professor of the Department of Therapy and Geriatrics
Barnaul
K. A. Medvedeva
Russian Federation
Kristina А. Medvedeva, Student
Barnaul
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Review
For citations:
Antropova O.N., Osipova I.V., Molchanova A.A., Medvedeva K.A. General practitioners' opinion on antihypertensive drugs deprescribing. "Arterial’naya Gipertenziya" ("Arterial Hypertension"). 2026;32(1):117-123. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.18705/1607-419X-2026-2570. EDN: LFPJGW
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