[Treatment of chronic stable angina: follow-up study with nifedipine gastrointestinal therapeutic system. SENIOR Study Group].
OBJECTIVE
To gather information about efficacy and tolerability of nifedipine GITS in patients with stable angina, and its impact on the patient quality of life.


METHODS
1076 patients of both sexes (63.5 +/- 12.8 year old) with stable angina (classes I to III of the CCVS) and evidence of coronary disease (43.3% previous myocardial infarction) were included. The treatment with nifedipine GITS 30-60 mg/day (monotherapy or combination) lasted for 6 months. The study variables were: weekly rate of anginal attacks, short-acting nitrate consumption, changes in the antianginal drug treatment, tolerability, and changes in the questionnaire score concerning the quality of life.


RESULTS
A decrease in the number of the anginal attacks and in the short-acting nitrates consumption by 80.7% and 83.3%, respectively (both, p = 0.001), was found. Furthermore, the proportion of patients experiencing anginal attacks the week before the assessment visit fell from 71.7% to 10.9% (p < 0.001). At the end of the study, a remarkable decrease in the use of other antianginal medications was seen. Side effects were reported by 10.9% of the patients, 2.7% of which were withdrawn from the study for this reason. A favourable change in the patient quality of life was also noted.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with stable angina, nifedipine GITS is an effective, safe and well tolerated drug that remarkably enhances the patient quality of life.
Fuertes García
A
A
Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid.
Sagués Cabarro
F
F
González Juanatey
J R
JR
de Lombera Romero
F
F
Luengo Fernández
E
E
Palencia Pérez
M A
MA
Vargas García
R
R
Wilke Delgado
M
M
D000368:Aged; D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011788:Quality of Life; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D009543:Nifedipine