Comparison of methods to detect side-effect on clinical application of chloranolol,a beta-adrenergic receptor inhibitor

Summary The incidence of side-effects on administration of chloranolol (Tobanum^®), a beta-adrenergic receptor blocking drug, to 2066 patients with hypertension, angina pectoris or arrhythmias was measured by three different methods. In 600 patients in an efficacy trial (Group 1) both spontaneously reported complaints and objective signs were tabulated. A side effect — directed method, utilising a questionnaire containing a list of possible side-effects was also used, with the questionnaire being completed by the physician. 35 questions referred to anticipated and other side-effects. The trial was performed in two groups: in 537 patients a placebo was also given (Group 2), and in another set of 929 patients (Group 3) the questionnaire inquiry was performed uncontrolled, without placebo. All three groups were comparable in their distribution of sexes, ages and diagnoses, the mean daily dose of chloranolol its use alone or in combination, and in a similar duration of treatment. 55% of all patients received chloranolol therapy for a period of more than 3 months. The ratio of in- and outpatients was 1:5. The side-effect incidence was independent of the age and sex of the patients and of the dose of chloranolol. The incidence was also unaffected whether chloranolol was used alone or in combination. The number of side-effects differed markedly between the three groups, their ratio was 1:10:24 in Groups 1, 2 and 3. Two-thirds of the side-effects subsided spontaneously within 1 month of their onset. The duration of the side-effects varied according to their character: cardiorespiratory side-effects were of the shortest duration and those affecting the central nervous system were the most enduring. The appreciable differences in incidence could be attributed to the methods of collection of the data. It has been stated that placebo controlled trials using a detailed questionnaire are the most suitable for estimating the incidence of side-effects; recording side-effects spontaneously reported by patients are insufficiently sensitive, and uncontrolled trials using a questionnaire have been shown to be too sensitive. The revealed incidence of side effects leading to interruption of treatment is less affected by the method chosen. In 100 patients (4.8%) therapy had to be suspended because of the side-effects of chloranolol (Group 1: 1%, Group 2: 6.20%, Group 3: 6.6%). Comparison of the incidence of cessation of therapy due to side-effects did not show an appreciable difference between the various beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agents, including chloranolol.