Effect of manidipine, a novel calcium channel blocker, on quality of life in hypertensive patients.

A multicenter open study was performed to evaluate manidipine monotherapy for 6 months on quality of life in hypertensive patients. One hundred and sixty-six patients with essential hypertension were enrolled. Of these, 2 were excluded because of violation of entry criteria, 4 withdrew from treatment because of side effects, and 12 for personal reasons. Manidipine treatment observed at a daily dose of 10 to 20 mg produced effective reduction in blood pressure during the course of the study. Adverse reactions such as palpitation or headache were experienced by 5 of 166 (3%) patients. Quality of life (QOL), assessed grossly by attending physicians, was rated as improved in 62% and unchanged in 36% of patients. Significant improvements in mean QOL scores were noted in general symptoms, physical symptoms and general well-being, work performance and satisfaction, sleep scale, emotional state, cognitive function, sexual function, and self-control. Elderly patients, age 60 years and older, achieved significant improvement in the same QOL items as in all cases; there was no difference between younger and older age groups. In conclusion, manidipine monotherapy is useful for treating patients, including the elderly, with essential hypertension, and this therapy improves their quality of life.