P51
The beneficial effect of pharmacological treatment of hypertension is well established. However, the outcome may depend on the specific antihypertensive drug used. This study, aimed to compare mortality in users of calcium channel blockers (CCBs) with that in users of other antihypertensive drugs (AHDs), includes 719 patients on antihypertensive drugs at an outpatient clinic in primary care in 1989-90. They were classified as users of CCBs (mostly felodipine) or users of other ADHs according to status at inclusion. Co-morbidity, systolic blood pressure, and smoking data were derived from standardised patient records. The Swedish mortality register was used to follow patients until death or until the end of 1995. Odds ratios were calculated by Cox regression analysis (the
table). Although adjustment was made for confounders, mortality was higher in CCB users. This adds support to the view that CCBs may be inferior to other ADHs in reducing mortality when used to treat hypertension and should not be considered a first-line drug.
Table 1.
Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers and cardiovascular outcomes in elderly patients: A population-based study
