title: Prevention of vascular damage in scleroderma and autoimmune Raynaud's phenomenon: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor quinapril.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of prolonged administration of quinapril, a long-acting angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, in the management of the peripheral vascular manifestations of limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (lcSSc) and in the prevention of the progression of visceral organ involvement in the disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating quinapril 80 mg/day, or the maximum tolerated dosage, in 210 patients with lcSSc or with Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) and the presence of SSc-specific antinuclear antibodies. Treatment was for 2-3 years. The primary outcome measure was the number of new ischemic ulcers appearing on the hands; secondary measures were the frequency and severity of RP attacks, skin score, treatments for ischemia, health status (measured by the Short Form 36 instrument), measures of kidney and lung function, and echocardiographic estimates of pulmonary artery pressure. An intent-to-treat analysis was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Quinapril did not affect the occurrence of digital ulcers or the frequency or severity of RP episodes. It did not alter the treatments that were prescribed for either infected ulcers or severe RP symptoms. There was no apparent effect on the estimated tricuspid gradient. Health status was not affected by quinapril, and one-half of the patients who believed they had benefited from the trial treatment were in the placebo arm. Quinapril was not tolerated by one-fifth of the patients, with dry cough being the most frequent side effect.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Administration of quinapril for up to 3 years had no demonstrable effects on the occurrence of upper limb digital ulcers or on other vascular manifestations of lcSSc in this patient population.
authors.affiliation: University of Wales, Bangor, UK.
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Gliddon
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Doré
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Black
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: McHugh
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Moots
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Denton
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Herrick
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Barnes
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Camilleri
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chakravarty
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Emery
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Griffiths
authors.forename: N D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Hopkinson
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hickling
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lanyon
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Laversuch
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lawson
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mallya
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nisar
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rhys-Dillon
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sheeran
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Maddison
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D018450:Disease Progression; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010919:Placebos; D000077583:Quinapril; D011928:Raynaud Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D045745:Scleroderma, Limited / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D044005:Tetrahydroisoquinolines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D010919:Placebos; D044005:Tetrahydroisoquinolines; D000077583:Quinapril