Archives of cardiovascular diseasesJun 18, 2013

How Often Blood Pressure, Diabetes, and Cholesterol Treatments Were Used in France in 2010

Circadian Biology Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Apr 4, 2026

Abstract

Treatment frequencies for cardiovascular risk factors in France were 22% for antihypertensives, 15% for lipid-lowering agents, and 6% for antidiabetic medications among beneficiaries aged 20 years and older.

Among individuals aged 40 years and older, treatment frequencies increased to 33% for antihypertensives, 23% for lipid-lowering agents, and 8% for antidiabetic medications.
For those aged 60 years and older, frequencies rose to 55% for antihypertensives, 38% for lipid-lowering agents, and 14% for antidiabetic medications.
Overall, 41% of patients aged 40 years and older and 66% of those aged 60 years and older received at least one treatment for cardiovascular risk factors.
In patients aged 20 years and older, 22% were treated for at least one risk factor without cardiovascular disease, compared to 3% with the disease.
Higher treatment frequencies for antihypertensive and antidiabetic medications were observed in the North, North-East, and Overseas regions of France.
A correlation exists between treatment frequencies and levels of deprivation, particularly for antidiabetic medications.

Simplified

BACKGROUND: The frequencies of treatment for cardiovascular risk factors are poorly documented in large populations, particularly according to the presence or absence of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

AIMS: To assess frequencies of reimbursements for antihypertensive, lipid-lowering and antidiabetic medications in France among national health insurance beneficiaries in 2010 and their associations according to age, sex, French regions, level deprivation and the presence of certain CVD.

METHODS: Treatment frequencies were calculated among the beneficiaries (58 million people) on the basis of reimbursements for three specific categories of medicinal products in 2010. The presence of CVD was defined by a diagnosis associated with chronic disease status and hospital stays in 2010.

RESULTS: Among people aged greater or equal to 20years, treatment frequencies were 22% (men 20% vs. women 23%) for antihypertensives, 15% (14% vs. 16%) for lipid-lowering agents and 6% (6% vs. 5%) for antidiabetic medications. These frequencies were, respectively, 33%, 23% and 8% in patients aged greater or equal to 40years and 55%, 38% and 14% in patients aged greater or equal to 60 years. The frequency of at least one treatment for at least one of the three risk factors was 41% in patients aged greater or equal to 40 years and 66% in patients aged greater or equal to 60 years. Among patients aged greater or equal to 20 years, 22% were treated for at least one risk factor in the absence of CVD and 3% were treated for at least one risk factor in the presence of CVD. Regional differences were observed, with higher frequencies of antihypertensive and antidiabetic use in the North, North-East and Overseas regions. Treatment frequencies increased with level of deprivation, especially for antidiabetics.

CONCLUSION: This national study more clearly defines treatment frequencies and the populations and regions with the highest treatment frequencies.

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How Often Blood Pressure, Diabetes, and Cholesterol Treatments Were Used in France in 2010

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