Effects of a perindopril-based blood pressure-lowering regimen on disability and dependency in 6105 patients with cerebrovascular disease: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to quantify the effects of blood pressure lowering on long-term disability and dependency among patients with cerebrovascular disease.


METHODS
We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. A total of 6105 participants with a history of stroke or transient ischemic attack in the past 5 years were recruited from 172 hospital outpatient clinics in 10 countries. Subjects were randomly assigned to the following groups: active treatment (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor perindopril [4 mg/d] for all patients, with the diuretic indapamide added at the discretion of treating physicians) or matching placebo(s). Measurements were disability (defined as a Barthel Index score < or =99/100) and dependency (a positive response to the following question: "In the last 2 weeks has the patient required regular help with everyday activities?").


RESULTS
The median duration of follow-up was 4 years. At the last available assessment, 19% of the active treatment group and 22% of the placebo group were disabled (adjusted odds ratio, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.65 to 0.89; P<0.001). Twelve percent of the active treatment group and 14% of the placebo group were dependent (adjusted odds ratio, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.71 to 0.99; P=0.04). The effects of treatment appeared to be mediated primarily through the prevention of disability and dependency associated with recurrent stroke. Four-year treatment with the study drug regimen would be expected to result in the avoidance of 1 case of long-term disability for every 30 (95% CI, 19 to 79) patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Among individuals with cerebrovascular disease, a perindopril-based blood pressure-lowering regimen not only reduced the risk of stroke and major vascular events but also substantially reduced the risks of associated long-term disability and dependency.
Fransen
M
M
Institute for International Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Anderson
C
C
Chalmers
J
J
Chapman
N
N
Davis
S
S
MacMahon
S
S
Neal
B
B
Sega
R
R
Terent
A
A
Tzourio
C
C
Woodward
M
M
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003858:Dependency, Psychological; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007190:Indapamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010045:Outpatients; D020913:Perindopril / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D020521:Stroke / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D013995:Time; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D007190:Indapamide; D020913:Perindopril