[Pharmacological cost-efficacy of various schemes of combined antihypertensive therapy in elderly patients].

AIM

To validate optimal cost-effective pharmacological policy in combined therapy of elderly hypertensive patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In 150 patients of a day hospital aged 55-74 years with at least stage II arterial hypertension of 4-40 years of duration a study was made of the cost efficacy of their combined treatment. The patients received lisinopril, metoprolol, nifedipin, enalapril, hypothiaside, indapamid. Clinical efficacy was assessed by the following criteria: a fall in systolic arterial pressure to at least 139 mm Hg or at least by 20% of the baseline, a fall in diastolic pressure to at least 89 mm Hg or 10% of the baseline. Economic parameters included cost of the disease, cost/effect values.

RESULTS

Combination egilok+hypothiaside was the cheapest but the least effective. Diroton+indap combination was cheaper than less effective combination cordipin-retard+hypothiaside and renitek-hypothiaside. Pharmacological and cost efficacy of diroton+indap combination was the highest.

CONCLUSION

Combination of lisinopril with indapamid was most adequate as to its cost and effect and can be used as a medication of the first line in elderly hypertensive patients.