Only half of Utahns being treated for high blood pressure are prescribed relatively low cost companion treatment that could prevent long-term complications, according to a report released Tuesday by the Utah Department of Health.
Additionally, 40 percent of asthma sufferers in the state receive only short-term treatment, driving up the number of emergency room visits and increasing the burden on Utah's health-care system, the report states.
The findings are part of a landmark study conducted by the health department in collaboration with private and public health-care providers. The report, "Selected Prescription Drug Usage in Utah," is an analysis of the 2003 outpatient pharmacy claims of some of the state's biggest insurers.
The records cover the prescription drug use of nearly 1 million people, or 47 percent of insured Utahns. It is the first time a state health department has endeavored to conduct such state-specific research, according to the Utah Department of Health.
"There are some national data out there that really wasn't anything in terms of the Utah picture. We obviously felt it was important to try and get a handle on that," said Dr. Paul Hougland, lead author of the report.
"Our hope is that having for the first time a statewide picture will give (health-care providers) a better idea of where they can target their efforts to try and improve health care."
Tuesday's findings are the result of an 18-month initiative by the health department's Utah Health Data Committee to collect and analyze data to create a statewide pharmacy database. The database can be used to monitor and make improvements in the uses of prescription drugs, as well as for community-based education programs.
"Now that we have a baseline we can try to start designing interventions to help improve the health of Utahns," Hougland said.
The report focuses on 10 specific areas, including hypertension, diabetes, asthma, adolescent depression, antibiotics use and pain management. It highlights three key findings, such as the fact that only half of Utahns receiving treatment for high blood pressure also receive diuretics, a relatively inexpensive drug that helps rid excess water from the body and combats complications.
The rate with which Utahns are prescribed diuretics is in line with national numbers, Hougland said, but the finding is still an indication that changes should be made.
"This is an area where we think there is obviously some room for improvement," he said. "Diuretics are good for daily control of hypertension and also help to prevent long-term complications."
Another significant finding is that 40 percent of asthma patients are only prescribed medication designed for short-term relief of symptoms. Tuesday's report indicates that long-term management is "one of the cornerstones of asthma treatment" and could reduce the occurrence of emergency room visits, thereby decreasing the burden on the state's health-care system and improving the quality of care provided to Utah asthma sufferers.
"While there are some for which (short-term relief) is probably appropriate . . . our assumption is that there are some people who would benefit" from long-term asthma care, Hougland said.
Among other findings included in the report:
The rate of antidepressant use among Utahns ages 10 to 17 is roughly 40 percent that of adults age 18 and older.
77 percent of pregnant women suffering from depression, obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety disorders are prescribed selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Prozac, Paxil and Effexor.
The rate of antipsychotic drug use is roughly twice as high among urban patients as rural patients.
Women are roughly 50 percent more likely than men to receive pain medications.
The pharmacy claims used in the report were voluntarily submitted by Altius Health Plans, IHC Health Plans, Public Employees Health Program and the state Division of Health Care Financing/Medicaid Program. Hougland said those providers who participated in the study continue to be enthusiastic about its possible uses, and hopes the success of the report will encourage others to participate in future studies conducted by the health department.
E-mail: awelling@desnews.com