Crossover Trial Comparison of Enalapril Maleate and Trichlormethiazide in the Treatment of Essential Hypertension: Emphasis on the Quality of Life

Abstract

Enalapril and trichlormethiazide were compared with respect to effects on the quality of life in a crossover study of 36 patients with hypertension. Multiple-choice 34-item questionnaires with three possible answers (severe, mild and none) per question were used to assess symptoms and mood. Twenty patients were initially given enalapril and 16 were initially given trichlormethiazide. There was no significant difference in the antihypertensive efficacy of the 2 drugs. Treatment with enalapril resulted in significant improvement in 11 of the 34 items, and a tendency for another 4 items to improve. Treatment with trichlormethiazide resulted in significant improvement in only 5 items and a tendency to improve in 2. When enalapril and trichlormethiazide were compared, significantly greater improvement in 2 items and a tendency toward greater improvement in 4 items was seen with enalapril treatment. Thus, enalapril was found to be more efficacious than trichlormethiazide with respect to quality of life in patients with hypertension. © 1992, The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine. All rights reserved.