Objective: The pooled results of four large-scale clinical trials of antihypertensive treatments carried out in China were assessed, with an overall study population of 10,457 patients.
Methods: The fixed effect model was used for data analysis.
Results: A pooled analysis at the individual level showed that the average time of treatment was 3.4 years, after which an average reduction in blood pressure of 9/4 mmHg was found. The meta-analysis showed that stroke was reduced by 36% (95% CI 25%-46%, P < 0.001), cardiovascular death and total deaths were reduced by 22% and 20% respectively (P < 0.05) and total cardiovascular events were significantly reduced by 33% (P < 0.001). However, the reduction in coronary heart disease (CHD) was much smaller and was not statistically significant (P > 0.05), whereas the significant reduction in stroke was epidemiologically expected.
Conclusion: The benefit of antihypertensive treatment obtained was mostly due to a reduction in the incidence of stroke.