Peter Vibe Rasmussen MD, PhD , Jarl Emanuel Strange MD, PhD , Sebastian Kinnberg Nielsen MD , Rasmus Borup Hansen MBSc , Gunnar H. Gislason MD, PhD , Morten Lamberts MD, PhD , Morten Lock Hansen MD, PhD , Anders Holt MD, PhD
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background
Concerns regarding side-effects of beta-blockers (BBs) are frequent but data regarding the incidence of side-effects are conflicting and real-world data are sparse. Hence, we aimed to investigate the absolute and relative risks of BB side-effects in clinical practice.
Methods
Using Danish nationwide registers, we included Danish hypertensive patients initiating antihypertensive treatment with a BB or calcium-channel blocker (CCB). We computed crude as well as standardized 1-year risks and adjusted risk ratios of BB side-effects (depression, anxiety/insomnia, gastrointestinal side-effects, erectile dysfunction, and dizziness/fainting) compared with CCB treatment.
Results
We included 64,722 patients initiating treatment with a BB and 181,880 patients initiating treatment with a CCB. In patients initiated on BB, the standardized 1-year risk of any outcome, erectile dysfunction exempt, was 13.7% (95% CI: 13.4%-13.9%). The 1-year risk of specific BB side-effects was the highest for anxiety/insomnia (6.2%, 95% CI: 6.0%-6.3%), gastrointestinal side-effects (4.6%, 95% CI: 4.4%-4.7%), and erectile dysfunction (4.7%, 95% CI: 4.5%-4.9%).
The risk of side-effects was consistently increased when comparing BB treatment with CCBs including depression (Risk Ratio [RR] 1.48, 95% CI 1.41-1.55), anxiety/insomnia (RR 1.53, 95% CI 1.47-1.59), gastrointestinal side-effects (1.31, 95% CI 1.25-1.36), and dizziness/fainting (RR 1.50, 95% CI 1.38-1.61), but not erectile dysfunction (RR 0.91, 95% CI, 0.85-0.96).
Conclusions
In a large nationwide cohort, the incidence of BB side-effects was clinically relevant and consistently increased compared with CCBs with the exception of erectile dysfunction, which carried similar risks for both treatments.
期刊介绍:
The American Heart Journal will consider for publication suitable articles on topics pertaining to the broad discipline of cardiovascular disease. Our goal is to provide the reader primary investigation, scholarly review, and opinion concerning the practice of cardiovascular medicine. We especially encourage submission of 3 types of reports that are not frequently seen in cardiovascular journals: negative clinical studies, reports on study designs, and studies involving the organization of medical care. The Journal does not accept individual case reports or original articles involving bench laboratory or animal research.