All concepts, explanations, trials, and studies have been
re-written in plain English and may contain errors. I am
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Source: Cardiovasc Drugs Ther 1996 Jul;10(3):361-8
Title: Quality of life on treatment with metoprolol in
       dilated cardiomyopathy: results from the MDC trial.
Authors: Wiklund I, Waagstein F, Swedberg K, Hjalmarsson A.

INTRODUCTION: The Metoprolol in Dilated Cardiomyopathy
(MDC) trial was to establish the effects of metoprolol
on mortality and need for heart transplant in patients
with cardiomyopathy of unknown cause.

Metoprolol was well tolerated. It improved symptoms and
heart function, and prevented deterioration in these
patients. Quality of life was measured as a secondary
endpoint in 345 of 383 patients using a heart failure
questionnaire, which asked about physical activity,
physical symptoms, emotions, and life satisfaction.

Patients treated with metoprolol said their quality of
life was better than those in the placebo group.
Metoprolol patients showed a significant improvement
from study start to 18 month follow-up in life
satisfaction, physical activity, and total quality of
life score. Patients on placebo did not change at all.
Improvement in quality of life was supported by
improvements in clinical measurements.

PMID: 8877080