On Metabolic Effects of Diuretics and β-Blockers

. A population sample of women in Goteborg, Sweden, was studied in 1968–69 and re-studied in 1974-75. A number of metabolic variables could be studied cross-sectionally (in 1974–75) and longitudinally (intraindividual changes between 1968–69 and 1974–75). When studied cross-sectionally, increased serum urate concentrations were observed in women on diuretics and increased serum triglycerides in women on β-blockers, compared to other women, while no obvious differences were found in blood glucose and serum cholesterol concentrations or in packed red cell volume (PCV). When studied longitudinally, a slight decrease in serum triglyceride concentration was found in women who started to take diuretics and an increase in women who started to take β-blockers compared to other women. Serum urate concentration tended to increase in women who started to take diuretics and PCV tended to decrease in women who started to take β-blockers. Blood glucose was unimpaired. In conclusion, the differences observed were rather small and seemed to be rather unimportant compared to the threat presented by the arterial hypertension itself.