Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were included.
Specific interventions included in the review
Anti-hypertensive drug treatment (hydrochlorothiazide; hydralazine; chlorthalidone; chlorothiazide; bendrofluazide; propranolol). The control group received a placebo, no treatment or referred care.
Participants included in the review
Middle-aged patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension (defined as a diastolic blood-pressure in the range of 90-114 mmHg) aged less than 60 years who have been without anti-hypertensive drug therapy before entry into the trial. Patients with isolated systolic hypertension were not included.
Outcomes assessed in the review
The incidence rates of all-cause mortality, and mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke, were assessed. Mortality rates were expressed as deaths per 1000 patient years of follow-up.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The authors do not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many of the authors performed the selection.