Clinical efficacy of low-dose combination of bisoprolol and hydrochlorothiazide for the treatment of postmenopausal women with hypertension and thyroid pathology

Abstract

The study covered 140 women aged 45-60 (median age: 50 ± 7,2 years) in postmenopausal period the majority of who had stage II hypertension (120 women) and 20 were apparently healthy (control group). The function of the thyroid gland was examined; 78 patients were diagnosed with hypothyroidism, 30 with hyperthyroidism and 12 with euthyroidism. Evaluation of the size of β-adrenoceptors in erythrocyte membranes (β-APM) through the unique research method revealed a wide range of β-APM measures; all the patients were diagnosed with hypersympathicotonia. After the examination, treatment with Lodoz (bisoprolol 5 mg and hydrochlorothiazide 6.25 mg) once daily in the morning was initiated. Blood pressure and overall well-being of patients were checked once a week; if monotherapy with Lodoz proved to be ineffective, bisoprolol 5 mg in the evening was prescribed additionally; in case of failure to achieve required anti-hypertensive effect in patients, they were prescribed with enalapril 10-20 mg per day. 80 patients with hypertension taking Lodoz (5 of those in combination with bisoprolol) and 20 patients taking enalapril completed the treatment. After 12 weeks of antihypertensive therapy all patients who completed the study underwent 24-hour blood pressure monitoring; the results showed a good antihypertensive effect of Lodoz. No side-effects attributed to the therapy were observed.