Antihypertensive therapy in patients above age 60 years. Eighth Interim Report of the European Working Party on High Blood Pressure in the Elderly (EWPHE)

SummarySeven hundred and ninety-two hypertensive patients above the age of 60 years have entered the double-blind multicentre trial of the European Working Party on High Blood Pressure in the Elderly (EWPHE). Half were treated with I capsule daily containing 2.5 mg hydrochlorothiazide and 50 mg triamterene and half were given placebo. If blood pressure control was not adequate in those receiving active treatment, a second capsule was given and, if necessary, up to 2 g methyl-dopa/day. No significant differences between the groups were present prior to randomization. A significant blood pressure difference of 20/8 mmHg was obtained between the groups and maintained during 5 years of follow-up. No major disturbances in serum potassium or serum sodium were noted. On the other hand. during the initial phase an increase in serum creatinine and serum uric acid was noted in the actively-treated group which was maintained during the later years. This increase in serum creatinine was related to the decrease in sit...