On metabolic effects of diuretics and beta-blockers. Results from a cross-sectional and longitudinal population study of women.

A population sample of women in Göteborg, Sweden, was studied in 1968-69 and restudied in 1974-75. A number of metabolic variables could be studied cross-sectionally (in 1974-75) and longitudinally (intraindividual changes between 1968-69 and 1974-75). When studied cross-sectionally, increased serum urate concentrations were observed in women on diuretics and increased serum triglycerides in women on beta-blockers, compared to other women, while no obvious differences were found in blood glucose and serum cholesterol concentrations or in packed red cell volume (PCV). When studied longitudinally, a slight decrease in serum triglyceride concentration was found in women who started to take diuretics and an increase in women who started to beta-blockers compared to other women. Serum urate concentration tended to increase in women who started to take diuretics and PCV tended to decrease in women who started to take beta-blockers. Blood glucose was unimpaired. In conclusion, the differences observed were rather small and seemed to be rather unimportant compared to the threat presented by the arterial hypertension itself.