CONTROL OF HYPERTENSION

Objective: To compare the efficacy and tolerability of Losartan and Atenolol in alone and combination in treatment of hypertension. Study Design: Comparative study. Setting: Medical out patients department of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre Karachi from January 2007 to June 2007. Methods: There were 60 patients previously untreated with mild and moderate essential hypertensions were registered for study. The selected patients were divided into three groups. Group A was given atenolol, Group B was given Losartan, and Group C was given both drugs. The target blood pressure was 120-140/80-90 mmHg. There were 42 males and 18 females with age range 25-65 years. Results: The mean baseline score of groups A, B and C were showed systolic blood pressure 182±19, 174 ± 20 and 168 ± 12 respectively. The diastolic blood pressure was 104.5±11, 102.5±9 and 104.5±10 respectively. The difference in mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure was not significant statistically as P = 0.06 and 0.76 respectively. After 4 months of treatment with atenolol, systolic blood pressure decreased to 147±17, and diastolic blood pressure fell to 87±4. Losartan decreased systolic blood pressure 138±13 and diastolic blood pressure 87±4 in 4 months of treatment. The combined therapy decreased systolic blood pressure 115±4.6 and diastolic blood pressure 75±4.7. The effect of treatments on systolic and diastolic blood pressure was significantly different as (p < 0.001) and ( p = 0.036) respectively. Side effects observed in 2 (10%) patients from group C, 8 (40%) in group A and 4 (20%) in group B. Combination therapy proved more effective in controlling hypertension than mono therapy and also fewer side effects. Patients showed better control on combination therapy as compared to mono therapy. Losartan proved a little better in controlling hypertension then atenolol and was more expensive. Conclusion: Patients showed better results with combination therapy for hypertension compared to individual drug.