Out-patient antihypertensive drug utilization and stroke mortality: An ecological study

Directly age-standardized rates of out-patient utilization ofantihypertensive drugs (antihypertensives, diuretics and beta-blockers)and stroke mortality in men and women (40–79 years ofage) were compared over 4 years (1987–1990) in a midwestern(Värmland) and a southern (Skäne) province of Swedenand in their 49 (16 + 33) municipalities. In both genders, thestroke mortality and utilization rates of the 3 antihypertensivedrug groups, both combined and separate, were higher in Värmlandand there were positive correlations between these rates whenall 49 municipalities were compared. On the other hand, foreach province and each drug group there were municipalitieswith every possible combination of stroke mortality and antihypertensivedrug utilization rates. In addition, antihypertensive drug utilizationrates were similar in men and women even though the stroke mortalityrates were much lower among the latter. The findings cast doubton the effectiveness of antihypertensive drug treatment in commonpractice.     

Converting Enzyme Inhibition in Mild and Moderate Essential Hypertension: I. Acute Effects on Blood Pressure,the Renin-Angiotensin System and Blood Bradykinin after a Single Dose of Captopril

ABSTRACT. The acute effects of 25 mg captopril on blood pressure, heart rate, components of the renin-angiotensin system and blood concentration of bradykinin were followed in a single-blind placebo study of untreated (group A, n = 15) and thiazide-treated (group B, n = 13) patients with mild or moderate essential hypertension. A drug-related fall in blood pressure was seen in both groups. The blood pressure reduction was more marked in group B than in group A. Heart rate remained unchanged. Plasma concentrations of angiotensin II decreased significantly with concurrent increases in plasma concentrations of renin and angiotensin I, indicating the in vivo inhibition of converting enzyme. Blood concentrations of bradykinin showed no systemic changes. The magnitude of blood pressure reduction was correlated both with the pretreatment levels and the concurrent decreases in plasma angiotensin II. Inhibition of angiotensin II formation can explain a large part of the acute hypotensive pharmacological action of captopril. Other vasoactive systems may be involved. The kallikrein-kinin system does not appear to participate as indicated by the unchanged concentrations of kinin in blood.     

Incidence of Nocturnal Hypoglycaemia in Insulin-dependent Diabetic Patients on Intensive Therapy

ABSTRACT The frequency of nocturnal hypoglycaemia, i.e. blood glucose concentration (BG) <3.0 mmol/l, was evaluated in consecutively selected insulin-dependent patients on multiple insulin injections (MII), n =23, or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusions (CSII), n =25. Blood was sampled hourly from 23.00 to 07.00. Seven patients (30%) on MII had at least one BG <3.0 mmol/l during the night. Eleven patients (44%) on CSII had hypoglycaemia (NS). The total number of BGs <3.0 mmol/l was higher on CSII, 42 of 225, versus 16 of 207 on MII (p<0.025). The duration of hypoglycaemia was 2 hours (range 1–6) on MII and 4 hours (range 1–7) on CSII with a maximal prevalence at 4 hours and between 5 and 7 hours, respectively (p=<0.05). The frequency of nocturnal hypoglycaemia is high in patients on intensified insulin regimens. Nocturnal hypoglycaemia occurs later in the night and is of longer duration on CSII than on MIL HbA_1c, BG before bedtime and in the morning might be useful in the evaluation of nocturnal hypoglycaemia.