Quality of life in hypertensives treated with atenolol or captopril: a double-blind crossover trial

Abstract

To compare the effects of captopril and atenolol on quality of life of hypertensive patients. In a randomly allocated double-blind crossover trial with two 6-week treatment periods captopril at 25 mg twice a day or atenolol at 50 mg once a day were administered to 265 hypertensive patients (mean age 56 years; 55% men). Of these, 65% were newly treated hypertensives and 35% were previously uncontrolled on a diuretic alone. A seated diastolic blood pressure of 95-115 mmHg was required after a 3-week placebo run-in period. Any previous diuretic therapy was changed to hydrochlorothiazide (25 mg once a day) and the dose was kept constant throughout the trial. Newly diagnosed patients did not take a diuretic at any time. Quality of life was assessed from self-completed questionnaires measuring psychological well-being, symptomatic side effects of treatment, and activity and perceived well-being (a health index). A relative's perception of the patients' mood was also obtained where possible. Twelve patients withdrew on atenolol and 10 on captopril. No differences between the drugs were observed in quality of life measures, and 95% confidence intervals suggested that important differences were excluded. We conclude that at the doses used in this trial there were no important differences between captopril and atenolol in their effects on quality of life.