title: Effects of candesartan cilexetil on health-related quality of life in black patients with systemic hypertension in the ABC Trial.
abstract: Tolerability is an important consideration in evaluating a new antihypertensive agent. This can be assessed informally by conventional patient interviews or more formally with the use of validated health-related quality of life (HRQL) measures assessing the patient's perception of the agent's tolerability. HRQL was a secondary end point of a 12-week, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of the efficacy and tolerability of candesartan cilexetil in black patients with systemic hypertension. HRQL was evaluated using the generic Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form (SF-36) and population- and condition-specific Vital Signs Quality of Life Questionnaire (VSQLQ). Data were gathered via face-to-face interviews at screening, baseline, and weeks 8 and 12. Of the 304 patients randomized, 268 were evaluable for the HRQL analysis. Clinical results, reported in the companion article, found that candesartan cilexetil initiated at 16 mg once daily and titrated to 32 mg once daily as needed, with the subsequent addition of hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg as needed, was effective for lowering diastolic and systolic blood pressure and was well tolerated based on office interviews. Analyses of patients' perceptions of tolerability found that HRQL was maintained during the 12-week study period, with no significant differences between treatment and placebo groups at the end of double-blind treatment. These results indicate that the HRQL of black patients with systemic hypertension is maintained during treatment with candesartan cilexetil.
authors.affiliation: AstraZeneca LP, 725 Chesterbrook Boulevard, D-3N, Wayne, PA 19087, USA.
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Zyczynski
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Leidy
authors.forename: B W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.forename: C T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Helaszek
authors.forename: E L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Michelson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D044383:Black People; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004232:Diuretics; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013777:Tetrazoles; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D004232:Diuretics; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors; D013777:Tetrazoles; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide; C077793:candesartan cilexetil