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Numbers needed to treat in hypertensive elderly patients in order to prevent a stroke

Authoring team

A meta-analysis of all published and unpublished randomised controlled trials of the treatment of hypertension in elderly patients was performed.

Twelve studies were included in the review.

The total population reviewed was 14,219, with an average age of 70 years. The mean entry blood pressure was 178/95. The average follow-up was 3.9 years.

Treatment of hypertension resulted in:

  • an odds ratio for all cause mortality of 0.88 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.79-0.97)
  • an odds ratio for stroke events of 0.64 (CI 0.55-0.73)
  • an odds ratio for coronary events of 0.80 (CI 0.70-0.92)

The numbers needed to treat for five years were:

  • 22 patients to prevent one stroke

  • 45 patients to prevent one coronary event

Reference:

  • Sanderson, S. (1996). Hypertension in the elderly: pressure to treat? Health Trends. 28(2), 71-5.

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