CLINICAL TOLERANCE ON SHORT AND LONG-TERM OF ANTIHYPERTENSIVE TREATMENT DURING THE HOT STUDY

International, prospective, randomized HOT study aims to determine the optimal BP level under treatment in order to reduce at the most the c ardiovascular morbidity/mortality. Defined by randomization, the level to obtain is DBP less than or equal to 80, 85, 90 mmHg. The treatment is started by felodipine 5 mg/day then, if necessary, a bitherapy is prescribed and then, if necessary, a tritherapy. 19 193 patients have been included (BP at randomization 170+/-15/105+/-4 mmHg). After 1 yea r treatment, it is possible to search for the influence on the clinica l tolerance of sex, age, BP goal, geographic area, time and treatment, The percentage of patients with side effects by BP goals and by treat ment type are, during the time and in different geographic areas, the following (NE/Northern Europe=Norway, Switzerland, Belgium, Hungary, S weden, Denmark, Finland, The Netherlands, UK, Germany, Austria; SE/Sou thern Europe=Italy, Spain, Greece): [GRAPHICS] The target BP and age d on't nearly influence the clinical tolerance. The side effects reporte d by the physicians are more numerous at the treatment start than at l ongeur terme. That is due to the therapeutic modifications of the phys icians or to a better acceptation of the drugs by the patients or to a real disappearance of the side effects. Reported side effects are mor e frequent in Southern Europe, France than Northern Europe and more fr equent among women that men. The incidence of side effects is proporti onal to the number of prescribed drugs. Time and the number of antihyp ertensive drugs appear as the most important factors.