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[Does antihypertensive treatment with amlodipine or enalapril affect quality of life? A multicenter study in general
P Omvik1, O B Herland, E Thaulow
1Hjerteavdelingen, Haukeland sykehus, Bergen.
Insights
This study found amlodipine and enalapril equally effective for hypertension, improving quality of life slightly. Both blood pressure medications were well-tolerated with manageable side effects.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- General Practice
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Hypertension management requires effective treatments that also consider patient quality of life.
- Amlodipine and enalapril are common antihypertensive medications with different mechanisms of action.
- Comparative data on their long-term effects on quality of life in general practice settings is valuable.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the effects of amlodipine and enalapril on blood pressure and quality of life in hypertensive patients.
- To assess the tolerability and side effect profiles of both medications over one year.
- To evaluate patient-reported outcomes including psychological well-being and perceived health.
Main Methods:
- A multicentre trial involving 461 hypertensive patients in a general practice setting.
- One year of therapy with either amlodipine or enalapril.
- Quality of life assessed via a 125-item questionnaire administered five times, covering psychological, social, sexual, cognitive, and symptom-related aspects.
- Blood pressure monitoring throughout the study period.
Main Results:
- Both amlodipine and enalapril effectively reduced blood pressure from 162/106 to 142/91 mm Hg.
- Neither drug negatively impacted overall quality of life; some variables showed slight improvements (2-5%).
- Both medications were equally well-tolerated, with expected class-specific side effects (coughing for enalapril, edema for amlodipine) being the main reported issues.
Conclusions:
- Amlodipine and enalapril offer comparable efficacy in blood pressure reduction for hypertensive patients.
- Treatment with either amlodipine or enalapril does not compromise, and may slightly enhance, patient quality of life.
- Both drugs present a similar and acceptable tolerability profile in general practice.
Abstract:
In this multicentre trial in general practice the effect of one year of therapy with amlodipine or enalapril on quality of life and blood pressure was studied in 461 hypertensive patients. Quality of life was evaluated by means of a questionnaire administered on five occasions during the study. A total of 125 questions were distributed between psychological general well-being, own perception of health, social relations, sexual and cognitive functioning, and a combined index for frequency and intensity of symptoms. Both drugs were equally effective in reducing blood pressure, from 162/106 to 142/91 mm Hg, and had the same effect on quality of life. Neither of the drugs reduced quality of life, and in some of the variables a slight improvement (2-5%) was observed. The two compounds were tolerated equally well. Apart from class-typical effects (coughing for enalapril and edema for amlodipine) no clinically significant side effects were experienced.