Effects of candesartan cilexetil on health-related quality of life in black patients with systemic hypertension in the ABC Trial.

Tolerability is an important consideration in evaluating a new antihypertensive agent. This can be assessed informally by conventional patient interviews or more formally with the use of validated health-related quality of life (HRQL) measures assessing the patient's perception of the agent's tolerability. HRQL was a secondary end point of a 12-week, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of the efficacy and tolerability of candesartan cilexetil in black patients with systemic hypertension. HRQL was evaluated using the generic Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form (SF-36) and population- and condition-specific Vital Signs Quality of Life Questionnaire (VSQLQ). Data were gathered via face-to-face interviews at screening, baseline, and weeks 8 and 12. Of the 304 patients randomized, 268 were evaluable for the HRQL analysis. Clinical results, reported in the companion article, found that candesartan cilexetil initiated at 16 mg once daily and titrated to 32 mg once daily as needed, with the subsequent addition of hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg as needed, was effective for lowering diastolic and systolic blood pressure and was well tolerated based on office interviews. Analyses of patients' perceptions of tolerability found that HRQL was maintained during the 12-week study period, with no significant differences between treatment and placebo groups at the end of double-blind treatment. These results indicate that the HRQL of black patients with systemic hypertension is maintained during treatment with candesartan cilexetil.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes