Key result
Atenolol use linked to ~91% higher long-term mortality in hypertensive older adults versus non-use.
Why the study?
The role of atenolol on long-term mortality in hypertensive older adults was still unclear.
Does atenolol use affect long-term mortality in community-dwelling older adults with hypertension?
Cohort (n=972)
Does atenolol use affect long-term mortality in community-dwelling older adults with hypertension?
Atenolol use in older hypertensive adults is associated with nearly double the risk of long-term mortality, potentially mediated by higher pulse arterial pressure.
Atenolol linked to higher mortality in older hypertensives; hypothesis-generating and should not change practice without randomized confirmation.
AIM: The role of atenolol, a non-vasodilating beta-blocker drug, on long-term mortality in hypertensive older adults is still unclear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate long-term mortality in community-dwelling hypertensive older adults taking atenolol. METHODS: Long-term mortality after 12-year follow up in isolated hypertensive older adults (n = 972) was analyzed. The patients were stratified in the presence and absence of atenolol use. Systolic, diastolic and pulse arterial pressure were measured. RESULTS: Older adults taking atenolol showed a greater mortality and higher pulse arterial pressure values than those not taking atenolol (73.9% vs 55.0%; P = 0.047 and 74.7 ± 14.1 vs 63.0 ± 14.2 mmHg, P < 0.001, respectively). Cox regression analysis showed that atenolol use (hazard risk 1.91; 95% confidence interval 1.04-4.31; P = 0.04) and pulse arterial pressure (hazard risk 1.02; 95% confidence interval 1.01-1.03; P = 0.032) were predictive of long-term mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Atenolol use was related to increased mortality in community-dwelling hypertensive Older adults. This increase in mortality risk seems to be related to an increase of pulse arterial pressure.
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Testa et al. (2013) conducted a cohort in Isolated hypertension (n=972). Atenolol vs. No atenolol use was evaluated on Long-term mortality (HR 1.91, 95% CI 1.04-4.31, p=0.04). Atenolol use in community-dwelling hypertensive older adults was associated with increased long-term mortality compared to non-use (73.9% vs 55.0%; HR 1.91, 95% CI 1.04-4.31; P=0.04).
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