Abstract P336: Efficacy and Safety of Vasodilator Beta-Blocker in Elderly Hypertensive Patients: Result From BEFIT-KOERA Study

Abstract

Purpose: Beta-blockers are efficacious in young hypertensive patients with sympathetic activation. Elderly patients have been known to be at higher risk of hypotension, bradycardia, and other side-effects of beta-blockers when compared with younger patients. This study was to evaluate efficacy and safety of vasodilator beta-blocker in elderly hypertensive patients. Methods: BENEFIT-KOREA study (BEnefits after 24 weeks of NEbivolol administration For essential hypertensIon patients wiTh various co-morbidities and treatment environments in KOREA) was a open labeled non-controlled, prospective, multicenter observational study enrolled total 3,140 subjects [1,871 male(59.6%), mean age=63.5±12.9 years old]. We evaluated efficacy and safety of vasodilator beta-blocker in elderly patients. Results: Subjects of more than 65 years old [n=1,655, 839 male (49.3%), mean age=73.6±5.8] were analyzed. Table shows that vasodilator beta-blocker is effective in reduction of blood pressure, mean arterial pressure and pulse pressure in elderly patients regardless of add-on or switched to beta-blocker. Adverse drug reaction rate was not different between age group (n=19, 1.15% vs. n=17, 1.15%). Table shows lipid profile and body mass index were not aggravated after 24-week treatment of vasodilator beta-blocker. Conclusion: Vasodilator beta-blocker is efficacious and safe without metabolic derangement in elderly patients regardless of prescription patterns. These drug effects in elderly are comparable to in younger patients.