Objective To compare the antihyptensive efficacy and safety of various
combination therapy for hypertensive patients, based
on
captopril, nitrendipine and atenolol Methods In a randomized, double blind study, after a placebo run in period, 515 men and women with blood pressure≥ 140/90 mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0 133 kPa) were assigned to one of the three treatment groups, stratified by age (≥60 yrs, <60 yrs) (1) Captopril (C) plus nitrendipine (N) group (CNG, n=171, mean dose C 45 mg/d, N 18 mg/d); (2) Captopril plus atenolol (A) group (CAG,n=171, mean dose C 45 mg/d, A 26 mg/d); (3) Nitrendipine plus atenolol group (NAG, n=173, mean dose N18 mg/d, A 26 mg/d) The antihypertensive efficacy, safety, adverse reactions, and QOL (guality of life) were investigated over a period of 6 months Results There were no significant differences of age and blood pressure between groups The blood pressures were reduced by (mm Hg, ±SD ) 35 0± 16 5/14 0±10 2, 31 6±13 6/14 2±10 5 and 37 2±15 2/16 1±9 7 in CNG, CAG and NAG, respectively with control rate (<140/90 mm Hg) of 70 6% (CNG), 64 3% (CAG) and 78 8%(NAG). The total side effects were similar and mild in all of the three groups, but the main symptoms and the percentage of withdrawal from drugs were significantly different between groups The compliance and quality of life in patients have been improved in all groups No significant changes were found in laboratory data Conclusion It is suggested that all of the three groups of low dose
combination therapy in this study are safe, effective in lowcring blood pressure Both compliance and QOL are improved, and the side effects are mild The effect of CAG was relative less than CNG and NAG in a total