ABSTRACT
Aims : To study the comparative efficacy of Hydrochlorothiazide and Chlorthalidone, either used alone or in combination on Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP), Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP), Lipid Profile and Anthropometry. Methods : It was a Prospective, Randomised, Longitudinal study, where consecutive patients presenting to medicine Out Patient Department (OPD) and In Patient Department (IPD) were screened for essential hypertension based upon the JNC VII Guidelines. Those subjects who satisfy the inclusion and exclusion criterias were included in the study. These subjects were divided into four subgroups. Each patient was assessed for Blood Pressure (BP), Lipid profile, Anthropometry for a period of 180 days. Results : There was statistically significant reduction in both systolic blood pressure and DBP in both the groups over a period of 180 days. This trend was progressive during the observed period in both the groups till a stable state was reached. There was a greater reduction in the SBP in the chlorthalidone group as compared to the Hydrochlorothiazide group (P value 0.05). However, such trend was not observed on the DBP on the two groups. Over a six months follow up there was no change in the Lipid parameters either on the same group or while comparing the two groups. The body Anthropometry , especially waist Hip ratio and Body Mass Index also did not show any significant difference in the two groups( either used alone or in combination). Conclusion : Chlorthalidone was found to be a relatively more potent Anti-hypertensive on SBP when compared with Hydrochlorothiazide .Both these drugs failed to show any significant difference in the Lipid Profile and Anthropometry in a period of six months.