[The effects of antidepressant treatment on efficacy of antihypertensive therapy in elderly hypertension]

Author(s): Cai XJ, Bi XP, Zhao Z, Wang L

Affiliation(s): Medical College of Shandong University, Jinan 250014, China. tianchr@126.com

Publication date & source: 2006-08, Zhonghua Nei Ke Za Zhi., 45(8):639-41.

Publication type:

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of antidepressant treatment on antihyprtensive therapy of senile hypertension. METHODS: 138 cases of senile hypertension complicating with depression were studied. 103 senile hypertensive patients without depression in the same period served as controls. The patients were randomly divided into 3 groups as A, B and C for study. 12.5 mg/d hydrochlorothiazide and 30 mg/d release-controlling tablets of nifedipine were orally administrated as basic antihypertnsive medication each group. Besides, 20 mg/d fluoxetine was additionally given to groups A and one tablet of almitrine l/d and 20 mg oryzanol 3/d were given to group B. The treatment lasted 12 weeks. RESULTS: In comparison with pre-treatment, the blood pressure at base line in sitting position and the average circadian SBP and DBP monitored with 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) was remarkably decreased in group A with statistical significance (P < 0.01). These blood ressure parameters in group B were also decreased as compared ith the pretreatent level brt with less statistical significance (P > 0.05). It was also noted tha with the addition of antidepressant fuoxetine, the manifestations of depression ere alleviated as shown by Hamilton depression (HAMD) scale. untoward reactions such as nausea, perspiration and skin rash were noted in a few patients, but none withdrew from the study. CONCLUSIONS: Antidepressant and antianxiety treatment is of benefit to the antihyertensive threapy in senile hypertensive patients with complications of depression and/or anxiety neurosis. Based on the results of this study, it is suggested that routine administration of antidepressants and antianxiety drugs should be carried out in senile hypertensive patients complicating with depression or anxiety.