title: The decision to treat: profiling benefit.
abstract: The decision to treat a hypertensive patient is usually based on the level of the blood pressure and some consideration of epidemiological risk factors. The implicit assumption is that all patients derive the same benefit from a particular type of drug. Recent evidence suggests that benefits are influenced by many factors, both positive and negative, which include age, sex, race, tobacco smoking and many diseases that can be provoked or aggravated by commonly used drugs, e.g. asthma, claudication, diabetes and gout. Risk factor analysis no longer seems the most appropriate technique on which to base treatment decisions. Analysis of potential benefits from different treatment strategies in an individual patient seems a better way.
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Dollery
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001581:Benzothiadiazines; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004232:Diuretics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012306:Risk; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D001581:Benzothiadiazines; D004232:Diuretics; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors