Tratamiento de la angina de pecho crónica estable: estudio de seguimiento con nifedipino OROS (estudio SENIOR)

Abstract

To gather information about efficacy and tolerability of nifedipine GITS in patients with stable angina, and its impact on the patient quality of life. 1076 patients of both sexes (63.5 +/- 12.8 year old) with stable angina (classes I to III of the CCVS) and evidence of coronary disease (43.3% previous myocardial infarction) were included. The treatment with nifedipine GITS 30-60 mg/day (monotherapy or combination) lasted for 6 months. The study variables were: weekly rate of anginal attacks, short-acting nitrate consumption, changes in the antianginal drug treatment, tolerability, and changes in the questionnaire score concerning the quality of life. A decrease in the number of the anginal attacks and in the short-acting nitrates consumption by 80.7% and 83.3%, respectively (both, p = 0.001), was found. Furthermore, the proportion of patients experiencing anginal attacks the week before the assessment visit fell from 71.7% to 10.9% (p < 0.001). At the end of the study, a remarkable decrease in the use of other antianginal medications was seen. Side effects were reported by 10.9% of the patients, 2.7% of which were withdrawn from the study for this reason. A favourable change in the patient quality of life was also noted. In patients with stable angina, nifedipine GITS is an effective, safe and well tolerated drug that remarkably enhances the patient quality of life.