Assessment of quality of life in a randomized clinical trial of candesartan only or in combination with DASH diet for hypertensive patients.
OBJECTIVE
A randomized clinical trial was used to compare the effects of an angiotensin II type 1 receptor inhibitor, candesartan, singly or in combination with a reducing sodium diet, the DASH diet, on the quality of life (QOL) in outpatients with hypertension.


METHODS
After a 2-week wash out period with placebo, 102 patients with mild to moderate hypertension were randomly assigned to receive candesartan (8 to 16mg per day), and 99 patients were assigned to follow the DASH diet in addition to the same dose of candesartan, both for 16 weeks. Patients completed the Subjective Symptoms Assessment Profile questionnaire, just before treatment and at the end of treatment. ANOVA was used to analyze the QOL-score changes over time and compare treatments.


RESULTS
Resting blood pressures were significantly reduced by the combination of candesartan and DASH diet (p < 0.005). Significant improvement was demonstrated for the mental component scores after 16 weeks of treatment with the combination of candesartan and DASH diet (p < 0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
Angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockade with a therapeutic dosage of candesartan maintains significant control of blood pressure and may improve QOL-scores, especially when combined with a reducing sodium diet.
Kirpizidis
Hristos
H
Cardiologic Division, 2 IKA Hospital, Greece. kyrpi@in.gr
Stavrati
Alexia
A
Geleris
Parashos
P
D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004039:Diet, Sodium-Restricted; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D013777:Tetrazoles; C081643:candesartan