The progress of patients in the European Working Party on Hypertension in the Elderly trial.

792 hypertensive patients above the age of 60 have entered the double-blind multicentre trial of the European Working Party on High blood pressure in the Elderly (EWPHE). Half were treated with hydrochlorothiazide and triamterene and half were given placebo and a second capsule was given and if necessary up to 2 g of methyldopa/day. The measurements in a sample of 157 patients suggested 80-86% compliance rate. A significant blood pressure difference of 25/10 mm Hg was obtained between the groups and maintained during five years of follow-up. The increase in serum creatinine found in the actively treated group was related to the decrease in sitting systolic blood pressure. Changes in serum uric acid correlated with changes in serum creatinine both in the placebo and in the actively treated group. Fasting blood glucose changed significantly in the active treatment group. The balance between this decreased risk on the basis of the blood pressure reduction and the increase produced by the rise in blood glucose and the other treatment effects remains to be determined. The trial continues and more patients are being admitted.