Journal of Pharmacogenomics & Pharmacoproteomics

Abstract

Benefits of Pharmacogenetics in the Management of Hypertension

Clara Torrellas, Juan Carlos Carril and Ramón Cacabelos

Introduction: Hypertension, suffered by 35% of the population, stands out as the main risk factor for cardiovascular disorders with the highest death rate worldwide. Only a small number of patients with hypertension gets efficient control over blood pressure (BP) with appropriate drug therapy. Pharmacogenetics, as a tool to identify antihypertensive therapeutic response-associated polymorphisms, could help to reduce this problem.

Objectives: We present here an epidemiological study of the prevalence of hypertension and its pharmacological treatment to demonstrate the error rate that physicians can commit when the patient´s pharmacogenetic profile is unknown.

Method: The sample consisted of 1115 individuals of which 332 met criteria for hypertension. We recorded each patient´s drug prescription prior to their visit to EuroEspes Biomedical Research Center, and analyzed their pharmacogenetic profile.

Results: About 30% of patients were hypertensive, of whom only 40.4% were receiving an active ingredient for hypertension control. Among them, CYP3A4/5 and CYP2C9 were the major metabolizing enzymes. Antagonists of angiotensin II receptors, followed by calcium-blocking agents and beta-adrenergic antagonists were the most commonly-prescribed drug categories. However, 61% of hypertensive patients were not taking suitable antihypertensive agents for their metabolism according to their genetic idiosyncrasy. Furthermore, the highest error rate was determined for CYP2C9.

Conclusion: The introduction of changes in the management of hypertension in the Spanish population could be useful to promote the prevention and treatment of high blood pressure in a more efficient way. The integration of pharmacogenetic testing into routine clinical procedures could optimize the therapeutic response, guiding the physician in the choice of the correct antihypertensive drug and the correct dose. The control of BP arises as an area of particular interest in assessing the validity and utility of pharmacogenetic testing/intervention.