[Utility of extended release indapamide in the treatment of hypertension in at risk elderly: extended release study]

It is estimated that more than 65% of the elderly population in Spain is hypertensive. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of extended release indapamide in hypertensive patients over 60 years of age, having high cardiovascular risk and the factors that influence this effect.

Prospective study made in 944 patients with essential HBP and age > 60 years (55.9% women) in whom treatment with extended release indapamide in single drug therapy or in combination was indicated, whether as a new drug or due to lack of efficacy of the previous therapy. The action scope was hospital out-patient clinics of Internal Medicine and follow-up time of the patients was 6 months.

Extended release indapamide causes a significant decrease (p < 0.05) of systolic blood pressure (SBP) (21.3 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (10.8 mmHg). No significant differences were found between the results in monotherapy or combined therapy. A total of 52.7% of the patients included had 3 or more cardiovascular risk factors (RF) or had target organ lesion (TOL) and 41.1% had an associated cardiovascular disease (CVD). Those patients with greater baseline SBP and DBP were those having a greater decrease in BP. On the other hand, patients with 1 or 2 RF showed a greater decrease of the SBP in comparison with patients with 3 or more RF, TOL or associated CVD. The adverse reactions rate was 2.8%.

Extended release indapamide is an effective drug in the elderly population having high cardiovascular risk and is well tolerated.