EFFECT OF NILVADIPINE AND ANGIOTENSIN-CONVERTING ENZYME-INHIBITORS ONQUALITY-OF-LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH ESSENTIAL-HYPERTENSION - A COMPARATIVE-STUDY

Multicenter, randomized, parallel-group, and open trials were performe d in patients with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension to assess t he impact of nilvadipine and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhib itors on patient quality of life (QOL). After a baseline observation p eriod, 79 patients were enrolled. QOL was evaluated at baseline and at weeks 24, 36, and 52 of treatment. Fourteen patients had withdrawn fr om the trial by week 24. QOL was assessed in 34 patients treated with nilvadipine and 31 patients treated with ACE inhibitors. Patients rece iving nilvadipine reported improvements in headaches and head heavines s, shoulder stiffness, fatigue during work, general well-being, and le isure time enjoyment. Patients receiving ACE inhibitors noted improvem ents in headaches and head heaviness, shoulder stiffness, irritability , social relationships, and sleep. Nilvadipine was considered better t han ACE inhibitors in improving shoulder stiffness and self-control, w hereas ACE inhibitors were better than nilvadipine in improving shortn ess of breath, nocturia, and social relationships. Both nilvadipine an d the ACE inhibitors produced similar falls in blood pressure; neither changed heart rate significantly during the treatment period. In conc lusion, the two regimens were equally effective in lowering blood pres sure with equally favorable effects on QOL.