AGE-DEPENDENT DIFFERENCES IN THE EFFICACY AND TOLERABILITY OF DIFFERENT CLASSES OF ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUGS

The present study evaluated the age-related differences in antihyperte nsive response and drug-related adverse effects of 3 antihypertensive drugs from different classes in a younger and an older population of p atients with mild to moderate essential hypertension. The beta-blocker bisoprolol 5mg once daily, the diuretic bendrofluazide 2.5mg once dai ly or the calcium antagonist nifedipine retard 10mg twice daily were e valuated using double-blind techniques for antihypertensive efficacy, tolerability and influence on well-being. 154 patients (70 men, 84 wom en) were randomised; there were equal numbers (77) of younger and elde rly patients. Adequate control of blood pressure (diastolic blood pres sure < 95mm Hg) was achieved in a total of 96 (71.6%, CI: 63.8 to 79.4 %) of the young and 114 (83.8%, CI: 77.6 to 90.0%) of the elderly pati ents when all 3 active treatment groups were included (p < 0.05). The response rate was significantly higher in the elderly. The response to low dosages was also significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the elderly ( 58.0%, CI 47.7 to 66.3%) than in the younger (50.0%, CI 41.6 to 58.4%) patients during active treatment. The general well-being was similar for all quality-of-life variables in both age groups during placebo ph ases and active treatment phases or between treatment groups. The cont rol of high blood pressure can be achieved with antihypertensive drugs from different classes. Elderly people tend to respond better to anti hypertensive monotherapy than younger patients. Adverse effects of the drug regimens did not influence the feeling of well-being in both age groups.