Table 2.
Overview of clinical trials in hypertension reporting results stratified by sex
| Paper | Trial name (Reference) | Number of participants | % Females | Results stratified by sex |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studies that documented comparable benefits of study treatment in both sexes | ||||
| Kjeldsen et al. Influence of age, sex and blood pressure on the principal endpoints of the Nordic Diltiazem Study | The Nordic Diltiazem Study154 | 10 876 | 51 | Similar treatment effect in both sexes. |
| Lewis et al. Efficacy and tolerance of antihypertensive treatment in men and women with stage 1 diastolic hypertension. Results of the Treatment of Mild Hypertension Study | Treatment of Mild Hypertension Study144 | 902 | 38 | Similar treatment effect in both sexes. |
| Os et al. Effects of losartan in women with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy: results from the Losartan Intervention for Endpoint Reduction in Hypertension Study | Losartan Intervention For Endpoint reduction in hypertension155 | 9193 | 54 | Similar treatment effect in both sexes. In the losartan group, females had better reduction in the primary endpoint, all-cause mortality and new-onset diabetes. |
| Studies that documented sex differences in benefits of study treatment | ||||
| Kjeldsen et al. Influence of gender on prevention of myocardial infarction by antihypertensives and acetylsalicylic acid: the HOT study | Hypertension Optimal Treatment156 | 18 790 | 47 | Achieving target diastolic BP <80 mmHg reduced myocardial infarction in women but not in men. Acetylsalicylic acid reduced incident myocardial infarction in men, but not in women. |
| Wing et al. A comparison of outcomes with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and diuretics for hypertension in the elderly | Second Australian National Blood Pressure Study157 | 6083 | 51 | The benefit of ACEI treatment was only demonstrated in males. |
| Zanchetti et al. Outcomes in subgroups of hypertensive patients treated with regimens based on valsartan and amlodipine: An analysis of findings from the VALUE trial | Valsartan Antihypertensive Long-term Use Evaluation trial158 | 15 245 | 42 | Amlodipine lowered BP and reduced the primary endpoint (composite of cardiac mortality and morbidity) better in females than in males. Valsartan reduced the secondary endpoint of hospitalization for heart failure better in males. |
BP, blood pressure; ACEI, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor.