Well-being and its measurement in hypertension. A randomized, double-blind cross-over comparison of 5 mg clopamide with 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide. Hunter Hypertension Research Group.

We conducted a randomized, double-blind, cross-over comparison of six weeks' treatment with 5 mg clopamide or with 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide in 17 hypertensive patients (average age 62 years). No significant differences were found between the two treatments in blood pressure control, plasma biochemical values, body weight or response to a comprehensive "quality of life" questionnaire. Despite the apparently identical performance of both drugs, significantly (x2 = 4.76; P less than 0.05) more patients expressed a preference for clopamide (12) than for hydrochlorothiazide (3). Two had no preference. Current quality of life assessments are relatively insensitive and patient preference remains a valid discriminator between otherwise comparable medications.