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Does beta-blockade provoke intermittent claudication?
Insights
Beta-blockers are not linked to intermittent claudication. This study found no association between beta-blockade and the condition, suggesting it is not a risk factor for intermittent claudication.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Pharmacology
- Peripheral Vascular Disease
Background:
- Beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs are sometimes associated with intermittent claudication.
- Previous studies failed to control for confounding factors like coronary heart disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between beta-blockade and intermittent claudication.
- To determine if beta-blockade is a risk factor for intermittent claudication, controlling for coronary heart disease.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study design was employed.
- Cases with verified intermittent claudication and controls from a health survey were selected.
- Participants were treated with antihypertensives but excluded those with coronary heart disease.
- Cases and controls were matched for age, sex, residence, and examination time.
Main Results:
- No association was found between current or previous beta-blocking drug use and intermittent claudication.
- The study included 55 case-control pairs.
Conclusions:
- Beta-blockade is not a risk factor for intermittent claudication.
- The findings challenge previous claims linking beta-blockers to this condition.
Abstract:
Intermittent claudication has been claimed to be a side-effect of beta-adrenoceptor blocking drugs. The confounding effect of coronary heart disease has not been controlled in earlier studies. In this case-control study, the cases were selected from a hospital material of patients with verified intermittent claudication and the controls from a nationwide health survey. The pool of potential cases and controls consisted of persons who had been treated with antihypertensives, but did not have coronary heart disease. The controls and cases were matched for age, sex, place of residence and time of examination. Comparison of current or previous use of beta-blocking drugs among our 55 case-control pairs revealed no association between intermittent claudication and beta-blockade. beta-Blockade is not a risk factor for intermittent claudication.