Efficacy and Acceptability of Indapamide Sustained Release in Elderly High-Risk Hypertensive Patients : the ARGUS Study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy and acceptability of indapamide sustained-release (SR) monotherapy in elderly high-risk patients with moderate to severe hypertension.


METHODS
1277 hypertensive patients older than 55 years with moderate to severe hypertension, including 91% with systolic blood pressure (SBP) >160 mmHg and at least one cardiovascular risk factor (age >65 years, male, diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease [CHD], cerebrovascular disease, dyslipidaemia, obesity, smoking) were enrolled in this observational study. They received indapamide SR 1.5 mg, one tablet daily, for 3 months. Blood pressure (BP) was assessed monthly by sphygmomanometer. Statistical analyses were performed using the χ(2) test, analysis of variance, and the Newman-Keuls test.


RESULTS
After 3 months of treatment with indapamide SR, SBP had decreased by 34 ± 3 mmHg and diastolic BP (DBP) by 12 ± 6 mmHg (both p < 0.001). Ninety-two percent of patients responded to therapy (SBP/DBP reduction >20/10 mmHg) and 52% were normalized (SBP <140 mmHg and DBP <90 mmHg). BP targets were reached in 48% of patients older than 65 years, 31% of diabetic patients, and 33% of patients with CHD. There were no changes in serum creatinine, glucose or lipid parameters, and 3% of patients had hypokalaemia (<3.5 mmol/L). The patients self-assessment scores regarding general state of health improved and 34% of patients reported 'excellent' health after treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
In the high-risk patients of the ARGUS study, monotherapy with indapamide SR showed antihypertensive efficacy with good acceptability and no changes in metabolic parameters over a 3-month period. Indapamide SR monotherapy normalized BP in half of the patients treated and proved an appropriate first-line treatment in hypertensive patients older than 55 years with added cardiovascular risk factors.
Department of Cardiology and Clinical Pharmacology, Hospital 64, Russian People's Friendship University, Vavilova Street 61, Moscow, 117292, Russia, zkobalava@mail.ru.
Zhanna D
ZD
Kobalava
Yulia V
YV
Kotovskaya
Valentin S
VS
Moiseev