Esposizione a calcioantagonisti e rischio di iperplasia gengivale: Risultati di uno studio di farmacovigilanza attiva in medicina generale

Calcium channel antagonists (CCA) are currently used in the treatment of hypertension, angina and other cardiovascular disorders. Their use has been associated with gingival hyperplasia, but this adverse event is often underestimated by prescribing physicians. In a primary care setting (Azienda Sanitaria di Lodi) a pharmacovigilance study was set up to assess the prevalence of gingival hyperplasia in a sample of patients exposed to CCA compared to a control group. One hundred forty-seven patients (seen by eight general practitioners) were included in the study: 78 patients were exposed to CCA while 69 had not taken any CCA in the last three months. The prevalence of gingival hyperplasia was higher in the CCA-exposed group than in the control group (20.5% vs 2.9%, p =0.005), with an odds ratio of 8.64 (CI 95%: 1.91-39.1) using univariate analysis. This study confirms that gingival hyperplasia is an important and often underestimated side effect of CCA. General practitioners should periodically evaluate the gingival health of patients taking CCA, inform them of the risks of this side effect, and consider alternative treatment where indicated.