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Comparison of the Use of Reserpine Versus Alpha‐methyldopa for Second Step Treatment of Hypertension in the Elderly
Author(s) -
Applegate William B.,
Carper Eleanor R.,
Kahn Sherman E.,
Westbrook Laura,
Linton Mack,
Baker Marion G.,
Runyan John W.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1985.tb02275.x
Subject(s) - reserpine , medicine , methyldopa , blood pressure , diuretic , diastole , compliance (psychology) , alpha (finance) , anesthesia , cardiology , pediatrics , surgery , psychology , social psychology , construct validity , patient satisfaction
A retrospective chart analysis was conducted on all new elderly hypertensive patients referred to a community hypertension clinic who were being treated with either reserpine or alpha‐methyldopa plus a diuretic. There were no significant differences between the two groups on entry in age, gender, co‐mobid diagnoses, or systolic or diastolic blood pressure. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of side effects over three years, but the proportion of persons having compliance problems was significantly lower in the reserpine group. Mean diastolic pressures were significantly lower after one, two, and three years, and systolic pressures were lower after one and two years in the reserpine group. Reserpine is at least as effective as alpha‐methyldopa in treating hypertension in the elderly and is associated with fewer problems in compliance. J Am Geriatr Soc 33:109, 1985