[Placebo: its hypotensive effect and influence on certain psychological parameters and dependency on dosage...

The main purpose of this study is to estimate the influence of taking a number of placebo tablets to obtain hypotensive effects and some psychological parameters with essential hypertension. 197 patients (102F/95M) aged between 18-80 years (average age 52.3) with essential hypertension were included in the research in two outpatients clinics. The patients who participated in research, stayed for at least seven days without any pharmacological treatment. They had a diastolic pressure (DBP) between 95-114 mm Hg and systolic pressure (SBP) up to 200 mm Hg. 92 patients had taken one tablet a day and 105 patients had taken two tablets in the morning. This was before the placebo was included and two weeks after their blood pressure had been taken by standard methods (sphygmomanometer). They were monitored daily throughout the period using traditional methods and ABPM (SpaceLabs 90121). The patients completed two psychological tests. 97 records (52F/45M) qualified for statistical analysis (80% of measurements were undertaken properly, and the time between measurements was less than two hours). Psychological questionnaires were correctly completed by 92 patients. The visible results of decreasing systolic and diastolic value of blood pressure were obtained after using one (group 1) and two (group 2) placebo tablets. They were monitored by a standard method and recorded by ABPM. In group 1 SBP decreased from 164 +/- 11.4 mm Hg to 158 +/- 8.8 mm Hg (p < 0.01, on standard method) and from 149.5 +/- 17.8 to 144.5 +/- 8.3 mm Hg daily (p < 0.05, ABPM). DBP in this examined group decreased from 106.2 +/- 2.8 to 102 +/- 3.9 mm Hg (p < 0.01, stand. method), and from 103.2 +/- 2.6 to 98.6 +/- 1.2 mm Hg daily (p < 0.05, ABPM). In the second group SBP decreased from 169 +/- 12.8 to 157.6 +/- 17.9 mm Hg (p < 0.001, stand. method), and in ABPM from 148.5 +/- 15.8 to 139.6 +/- 16.2 mm Hg (p < 0.01). In this same group, DBP decreased from 104.4 +/- 2.6 to 98 +/- 3.4 mm hG (p < 0.001, stand. method), and from 107.4 +/- 5.8 mm Hg to 95.5 +/- 4.2 mm Hg-daily (p < 0.001, ABPM). There were no differences between heart rate in all groups of patients. In both groups there were significant statistical differences in negative symptoms, physical symptoms and anexity, but a more optimistic mood was observed by group 2. More effective hypertensive treatment was observed within the group which was treated with two placebo tablets. This group was characterized by more optimistic mood compared to the group which was treated with one placebo tablet a day.