Question

Jachuck et al. (1982) report on an analysis of a certain drug designed to reduce hypertension (high blood pressure). Such hypotensive drugs are frequently effective but are also linked to side effects like irritability, a decline in energy, and a loss of sexual interest. Seventy-five patients with mild hypertension were put on hypotensive drugs and their progress was monitored by doctors and relatives (typically spouses). Suppose that everyone agrees that the quality weight for hypertension is q = 0.8. That is, one year spent with mild hypertension is equivalent to 0.8 years of full health.

a. When asked to rate the treated patients as improved, worse, or unchanged, the doctors rated all 75 as “improved.” Meanwhile, the spouses rated 74 of the 75 patients “worse.” Why might spouses and doctors differ in their opinion about the effect of going on hypotensive therapy.

b. Explain why the drugs might be a dominated treatment and indicate what other treatment(s) might dominate it. c. Make a one-sentence argument for each of two viewpoints: • Doctors’ opinions should be used to determine how beneficial hypotensive drugs are for the purposes of CEA. • Spouses’ opinions should be used to determine how beneficial hypotensive drugs are for the purposes of CEA.

Answer 1

Answer:

Doctors and spouses differ in their opinion about the effect of going on hypotensive therapy because of non adherence to the recommendation of the lifestyles of the patients. The health-related advice provided by the doctors sometimes becomes an economic burden on the patient and this gives rise to a negative effect of the treatment.

B) If hypotension results as a side effect of any kind of medication then doctors suggestion reduction in the dosage of the medicine or stopping the medicine completely. However, hypotension or low blood pressure can be controlled by changes in diet too like increasing the intake of salt and drinking more water.The patient can also wear compression stockings.

C) Drugs for controlling hypotension can be used for the purpose of CEA but its neurological effect should be monitored by the doctors treating the patients. Most often when this is not done spouses complain of side effects of hypotensive drugs during CEA.