Long-term controlled antihypertensive therapy in Chernobyl liquidators, its effectiveness and benefits

Abstract

Aim. To compare effectiveness of controlled antihypertenive therapy (AHT) and standard outpatient care among Chernobyl male liquidators (ML) with mild to moderate arterial hypertension (AH).
Material and methods. This 12-month, open, comparative randomized study included 81 ML aged 37-70, with mild to moderate AH. The main group consisted of 42 patients, the control group – of 39; mean age 52.2±1.3 and 51.5±1.1 years, mean AH duration 10±1 and 9.6±1 years, respectively. In main group, patients received an ACE inhibitor spirapril, combined with hypothiazide (12.5-25 mg/d), and atenolol (12.5-100 mg/d), if necessary. In control group, AHT and its correction were performed by outpatient physicians. Medical history collection, physical examination, anthropometry, blood pressure (BP) measurement (three times), and electrocardiograpy were performed.
Results. During one-year controlled AHT, comparing to standard outpatient care, more effective decrease in systolic and diastolic BP was achieved. Antihypertensive effect was registered in 78.6% and 38.0% of the main and control group patients, respectively. At the end of the study, most participants from the main group ((78.6%) received combined therapy (2 or more drugs); in control group, this number was only 17.2%.
Conclusion. The results of the study demonstrated high effectiveness and benefits of long-term controlled AHT, comparing to standard outpatient care.