Management of Hypertension in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

Hypertension and diabetes mellitus are significant and independent risk factors for cardiovascular disease.Antihypertensive therapy reduces cerebrovascular and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with hypertension. Tight blood pressure (BP) control [target diastolic BP (DBP) ≤80mm Hg] reduced the incidence of major cardiovascular events by 51% compared with less tight control (DBP ≤90mm Hg) in patients with diabetes mellitus in the Hypertension Optimal Treatment (HOT) study. Similarly, in the UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS), tight BP control [mean systolic BP (SBP)/DBP = 144/82mm Hg] with captopril or atenolol reduced diabetes mellitus-related morbidity and mortality by 24% compared with less tight control (mean SBP/DBP = 154/87mm Hg). Importantly, the frequency of microvascular disease (including retinopathy) was reduced by 37% among those randomised to tight BP control in the UKPDS.In the diabetic subgroup in the Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation (HOPE) study, there was a 25% reduction in the composite end-point of death due to cardiovascular causes, or myocardial infarction or stroke during 5 years of treatment with ramipril 10 mg/day relative to placebo.Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor indicated for use in hypertension, heart failure and post-myocardial infarction. As an antihypertensive agent the drug is effective and generally well tolerated in patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus and in those with early or overt nephropathy.In the Swedish Treatment of Old People (STOP) Hypertension 2 trial, there was no difference in the relative risk of cardiovascular death between those assigned to ACE inhibitors (lisinopril or enalapril), calcium channel blockers (felodipine or isradipine) or ‘conventional’ antihypertensive therapy (thiazide diuretics or β blockers); treatment effects did not differ significantly between diabetic and nondiabetic patients (10.9% of the 6614 patients had diabetes mellitus). Importantly, lower frequencies of nonfatal or fatal myocardial infarction [relative risk (RR) 0.77; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.61 to 0.96] and congestive heart failure (RR 0.78; CI 0.83 to 0.97) were detected during 4 years’ treatment with lisinopril or enalapril than felodipine or isradipine in this study.Lisinopril reduced albumin excretion rates in patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus. In the 2-year EURODIAB Controlled Trial of Lisinopril in IDDM (EUCLID) study, albumin excretion rates decreased by 49.7% relative to placebo in normotensive patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and microalbuminuria during treatment with lisinopril 10 to 20 mg/day. Progression of retinopathy was attenuated in normotensive patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus during treatment with lisinopril in this study.In conclusion, lisinopril, like other ACE inhibitors should be considered a first-line agent for reducing BP and attenuating nephropathy in patients with type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus.     

Hypertension in the nursing home

Hypertension in a nursing home patient is a systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher and 130 mm Hg or higher in a patient with diabetes mellitus or chronic renal insufficiency, or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher and 80 mm Hg or higher in a patient with diabetes mellitus or chronic renal insufficiency. Numerous prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled studies have demonstrated that antihypertensive drug therapy reduces the development of new coronary events, stroke, and congestive heart failure in older persons. The goal of treatment of hypertension in elderly persons is to lower the blood pressure to less than 140/90 mm Hg and to less than 130/80 mm Hg in older persons with diabetes mellitus or chronic renal insufficiency. Elderly persons with diastolic hypertension should have their diastolic blood pressure reduced to 80 to 85 mm Hg. Diuretics should be used as initial drugs in the treatment of older persons with hypertension and no associated medical conditions. The selection of antihypertensive drug therapy in persons with associated medical conditions depends on their associated medical conditions. If the blood pressure is more than 20/10 mm Hg above the goal blood pressure, drug therapy should be initiated with 2 antihypertensive drugs, one of which should be a thiazide-type diuretic. Other coronary risk factors must be treated in patients with hypertension.     

A strong inverse relationship between PAI-1 and Lp(a) in hypertensive Type 2 diabetic patients

Thrombophilia with a contemporary reduction of fibrinolytic activity has been observed both in diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Previously, we found a relationship between plasminogen activator inhibitor Type 1 (PAI-1) and lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] in Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients without complications. We hypothesised that this relationship could be due to a compensatory mechanism able to lower the risk of hypofibrinolysis as found in Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The present work was aimed at investigating the influence of concurrent hypertension and diabetes mellitus on the plasma levels of these two fibrinolytic inhibitors. In addition, other risk factors, known to influence the fibrinolytic parameters, were taken into account. Forty-nine Type 2 nonhypertensive diabetic patients without complications, 47 Type 2 hypertensive diabetic patients without complications, 54 non-diabetic hypertensive subjects without complications as well as 87 control subjects were studied. Plasma concentrations of Lp(a), PAI-1 antigen and activity, and the main parameters of oxidative, lipo- and glycometabolic balance were determined. Significant statistical differences between diabetic and non-diabetic subjects were found concerning triglycerides and antioxidant defence (p<0.01). Analysis of variance showed the F test statistically significant in evaluating the Log PAI-1/Lp(a) (p = 0.02). Correlation analysis between Log PAI-1 antigen and Lp(a) was significant in non-hypertensive diabetic patients, as expected (r = -0.38, p<0.01), and even stronger in hypertensive diabetic patients (r = -O.72,p<0.01). These results allow to hypothesise that the relationship between PAI-1/Lp(a) could be determinant in avoiding vascular complications due to diabetes mellitus and hypertension.     

Fixed combination of losartan and hydrochlorothiazide and reduction of risk of stroke

A fixed-dose combination of losartan/hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) therapy may be a logical choice for antihypertensive treatment, including for initial therapy in patients with blood pressure elevation >20/10 mmHg above treatment target. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system-activating effect of hydrochlorothiazide augments the efficacy of blocking the angiotensin II type 1 (AT1) receptor with losartan. Some adverse effects associated with hydrochlorothiazide, including increased risk for new-onset diabetes mellitus, may be offset by losartan. Losartan was frequently administered with hydrochlorothiazide in the Losartan Intervention For Endpoint reduction in hypertension (LIFE) study, in which there was a 25% risk reduction for stroke in the losartan-based compared with the atenolol-based treatment group. The efficacy, tolerability, and convenience of losartan/HCTZ combination therapy may increase patient compliance and lower risk for stroke, a devastating outcome in patients with hypertension.     

Risk factors to be considered at the beginning of antihypertensive therapy in diabetes mellitus

The treatment of hypertension in diabetic patients due to its high prevalence rate belongs to the everyday clinical practice of internists, diabetologists and general practitioners. The main points of the initiation on of antihypertensive treatment in diabetic patients are reviewed. In order to decrease the target organ damages the treatment of early recognized cardiovascular risk factors are of great importance. The target value of antihypertensive treatment in diabetic patients is < 130/80 mmHg (in case of proteinuria > 1 g daily: < 125/75 mmHg). The global cardiovascular risk is high or very high in diabetic patients both with grade I-III hypertension and with high normal blood pressure, therefore, treatment with antihypertensive drug (besides life style optimalisation) should be initiated promptly in these cases. In case of micro- or macroalbuminuria antihypertensive drug (mainly with characteristics of blocking the renin-angiotensin-system) should be given to each diabetic subject irrespective of actual blood pressure values. Success of antihypertensive treatment in diabetic patients could be achieved mainly with combination therapy only. It is reasonable to initiate antihypertensive therapy primarily with a low dose combination of two agents in diabetic patients with hypertension.     

Managing hypertension in diabetic patients--focus on trandolapril/verapamil combination

Hypertensive diabetes individuals are at higher risk for cardiovascular events and progression to end stage renal disease. Several well conducted clinical trials indicate that aggressive treatment of hypertension in individual with diabetes reduces these complications. Combinations of two or more antihypertensive drugs are frequently required to reach the target blood pressure and to improve the cardiovascular and renal outcomes in these patients. There are physiological and clinical rationales for renin-angiotensin system blockade in hypertensive diabetics. Trandolapril/verapamil sustained released (SR) is a fixed-dose combination of trandolapril and a sustained release formulation of verapamil and indicated in treatment of hypertension in patients who require more than one drug to reach target blood pressure. The antihypertensive efficacy of trandolapril/verapamil SR has been evaluated extensively in large trials. In the INVEST trial, a verapamil SR-based treatment strategy that included trandolapril in most patients was effective in reducing the primary outcome in hypertensive patients with coronary artery disease. The new onset of diabetes was also significantly lower in the verapamil SR/trandolapril treatment group in comparison with those on the atenolol/hydroclorothiazide treatment group. The BErgamo NEphrologic Diabetes Complications Trial (BENEDICT) documented that in hypertensive diabetes and normoalbuminuria, trandolapril plus verapamil or trandolapril alone delayed the onset of microalbuminuria independent of their blood pressure-reducing effect. Thus, trandolapril/verapamil is an effective option for treatment of hypertensive diabetes patients requiring more than one agent to achieve target blood pressure.     

血压控制与糖尿病发病关系的前瞻性研究

目的 探讨血压控制情况与新发糖尿病的关系.方法 采用前瞻性研究方法 ,以江苏省多代谢异常和代谢综合征综合防治研究队列满足条件的人群为研究对象,分析并比较基线血压正常组和基线高血压组随访血压控制在不同水平时糖尿病发病率;运用Cox比例风险模型分析血压控制情况与随访新发糖尿病的关系.结果 3146名研究对象中,有102例新发糖尿病患者.基线血压正常组(n=2369)和高血压组(n=777)糖尿病累积发病率分别为2.74%和4.76%;基线血压正常组与高血压组糖尿病发病率均随着SBP和DBP增加而上升;两组人群中,随访转为或仍然为高血压的人群糖尿病发病率均大于随访血压保持或控制为正常的人群(基线血压正常组5.6%vs.1.9%,基线高血压组7.1%vs.2.2%).调整基线年龄、性别和糖尿病一般危险因素后,基线血压正常组中随访转为高血压的人群相比血压保持正常的人群发生糖尿病的相对危险度(aRR值及95%CI)为1.84(1.00～3.63);基线高血压组中随访血压未得到控制相比血压得到控制的人群发生糖尿病的aRR值为1.90(1.03～3.74).若调整性别、年龄和基线代谢综合征,aRR值则分别为1.70(0.99～2.78)和1.90(1.04～3.75).结论 基线血压正常组与高血压患者,若有效控制其血压在正常水平均能降低糖尿病发病的风险.     

Nephropathy in non-insulin-dependent (type-2) diabetes mellitus

There is a dramatic increase in the incidence of end-stage renal disease in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) requiring renal replacement therapy. The most important risk factors of the onset of nephropathy in NIDDM are genetic predisposition (history of diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular events in first-degree relatives), hypertension, quality of glycaemic control and smoking. These risk factors play an important role also in the progression of diabetic nephropathy. In about 20-25% of NIDDM patients nondiabetic renal diseases cause the renal damage (other primary nephropathies, ischaemic nephropathy). NIDDM is mainly the part of metabolic x syndrome (hypertension, obesity, dyslipidaemia, impaired glucose tolerance or NIDDM) and, for this reason, all members of metabolic x syndrome has to be involved in treatment strategies e.g. blood pressure "subnormalization", aggressive glycaemic control, cessation of smoking, the treatment of obesity and dyslipidaemia with diet, physical activity and antilipidaemic drugs, as well as restriction of dietary protein and salt intake. The successful prevention and treatment of diabetic nephropathy needs the development of an interdisciplinary interaction that involves general practitioners, diabetologists and nephrologists.     

Manidipine-delapril combination in the management of hypertension

High blood pressure (BP) is the major cardiovascular risk factor and the main cause of death around the world. Control of blood pressure reduces the high mortality associated with hypertension and the most recent guidelines recommend reducing arterial BP values below 140/90 mmHg for all hypertensive patients (130/80 in diabetics) as a necessary step to reduce global cardiovascular risk, which is the fundamental objective of the treatment. To achieve these target BP goals frequently requires combination therapy with two or more antihypertensive agents. Although the combination of a diuretic and an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) is the most commonly used in the clinical practice, the combination of an ACEI and a calcium channel blocker may have an additive antihypertensive effect, a favorable effect on the metabolic profile, and an increased target organ damage protection. The new oral fixed combination manidipine 10 mg/delapril 30 mg has a greater antihypertensive effect than both components of the combination separately, and in non-responders to monotherapy with manidipine or delapril the average reduction of systolic and diastolic BP is 16/10 mmHg. The combination is well tolerated and the observed adverse effects are of the same nature as those observed in patients treated with the components as monotherapy. However, combination therapy reduces the incidence of ankle edema in patients treated with manidipine.     

Metoprolol succinate extended release/hydrochlorothiazide combination tablets

Lowering elevated blood pressure (BP) with drug therapy reduces the risk for catastrophic fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events such as stroke and myocardial infarction. Given the heterogeneity of hypertension as a disease, the marked variability in an individual patient's BP response, and low response rates with monotherapy, expert groups such as the Joint National Committee (JNC) emphasize the value of combination antihypertensive regimens, noting that combinations, usually of different classes, have additive antihypertensive effects. Metoprolol succinate extended-release tablet is a beta-1 (cardio-selective) adrenoceptor-blocking agent formulated to provide controlled and predictable release of metoprolol. Hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) is a well-established diuretic and antihypertensive agent, which promotes natruresis by acting on the distal renal tubule. The pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety/tolerability of the antihypertensive combination tablet, metoprolol extended release hydrochlorothiazide, essentially reflect the well-described independent characteristics of each of the component agents. Not only is the combination product more effective than monotherapy with the individual components but the combination product allows a low-dose multidrug regimen as an alternative to high-dose monotherapy, thereby, minimizing the likelihood of dose-related side-effects.     

Olmesartan medoxomil combined with hydrochlorothiazide for the treatment of hypertension

In most patients with hypertension, especially Stage 2 hypertension, adequate control of blood pressure (BP) is only achieved with combination drug therapy. When using combination therapy, antihypertensive agents with complementary mechanisms of action are recommended, for example, an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) in combination with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), a beta-blocker + HCTZ, an ACE inhibitor + HCTZ, or a calcium channel blocker + an ACE inhibitor. One such combination is olmesartan medoxomil + HCTZ, which is available as fixed-dose, single-tablet combinations for once-daily administration. In clinical trials, olmesartan medoxomil/HCTZ reduced systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) to a greater extent than either component as monotherapy. A clinical study in patients with Stage 1 or 2 hypertension showed that olmesartan medoxomil/HCTZ achieved a similar mean reduction in DBP, but a significantly greater mean reduction in SBP and higher rate of BP control (< 140/90 mmHg) than observed with losartan/HCTZ, at US/European-approved starting doses. In a non-inferiority trial, the antihypertensive efficacy of olmesartan medoxomil/HCTZ was comparable to that of atenolol/HCTZ. Furthermore, indirect comparisons have shown that olmesartan medoxomil/HCTZ compares favorably with other antihypertensive combination therapies, including other ARB/HCTZ combinations and amlodipine besylate/ benazepril. Olmesartan medoxomil/HCTZ is generally well tolerated. In conclusion, olmesartan medoxomil/HCTZ is an effective and well-tolerated combination antihypertensive therapy that results in significant BP reductions and BP control in many patients.     

2型糖尿病患者及非糖尿病人群的踝臂指数与高血压相关性研究

目的探讨2型糖尿病患者及非糖尿病人群中高血压与踝臂指数(ABI)的相关性。方法选取124例2型糖尿病患者作为糖尿病组,本院体检的122例非2型糖尿病体检人群作为对照组。比较两组人群高血压及非高血压人群的踝臂指数,同时分析两组人群ABI与收缩压、舒张压的简单线性相关性。最后运用Logistic回归研究两组人群高血压与ABI的相关性。结果两组人群ABI存在显著差异(P<0.05)。在糖尿病组,ABI在高血压人群与非高血压人群存在显著差异,而且,ABI与收缩压及舒张压均存在简单相关性(P<0.05)。在非校正模式及校正年龄、性别、总胆固醇、HDL、LDL、甘油三酯、BMI、腰围等影响因素后,高血压是ABI的独立危险因素(P<0.05)。但在非糖尿病人群中,均未发现上述相关性。结论 2型糖尿病患者中,高血压与反映外周动脉硬化的踝臂指数独立相关。     

高血压病患者降压药物依从性研究

目的：探讨高血压住院和门诊患者降压药物的依从性及其相关因素,方法：回顾性分析1995年1月至2001年1月高血压病住院患者816例和门诊随访患者497例的降压药物依从性及其相关因素,调查降压药物的使用情况和药物副作用的发生率,观察药物依从者和不依从者的血压水平变化。结果：高血压住院病人的心血管危险因素分层前几位依次为脂质代谢紊乱、吸烟、左室肥厚和糖尿病。出院后60．9％的病人来院门诊随访,住院期间的药物依从率为63．4％,出院时出院带药的依从率77．3％,门诊随访期间的药物依从性为43．7％,药物不依从的原因包括：药物副作用,血压控制不佳,经济原因等。门诊随访过程中,钙拮抗剂和利尿剂的副作用明显增加,药物依从者血压控制佳,波动小,而不依从者血压控制不佳,波动大,结论：出院后对出院带药的依从性最佳,住院期间的药物依从性次之,门诊随访期间的药物依从性最差。     

超敏C反应蛋白与高血压危险因素和靶器官损害的相关性研究

目的 探讨超敏C反应蛋白(hs-CRP)与原发性高血压危险因素及不同靶器官损害的关系.方法 测定216例原发性高血压患者(高血压组)和36例同期健康志愿者或因胸痛、胸闷,疑诊心脏神经官能症人院检查的患者(对照组)血清hs-CRP水平,比较原发性高血压合并不同疾病、受累靶器官的多少及不同受累靶器官之间血清hs-CRP水平的差异,并分析各变量与血清hs-CRP水平的相关性.结果 高血压组血清hs-CRP水平显著高于对照组[(1.99±0.34)mg/L比(1.10±0.26)mg/L](P＜0.01).高血压合并冠心病者与高血压合并糖尿病者血清hs-CRP水平[分别为(2.39±0.24)、(2.10±0.18)mg/L]显著高于单纯高血压者[(1.85±0.30)mg/L],高血压合并冠心病者血清hs-CRP水平高于高血压合并糖尿病者,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).血清hs-CRP水平与靶器官损害数目呈正相关(r=0.747,P＜0.01).高血压合并不同靶器官损害者血清hs-CRP水平有差异,其中高血压合并左室肥厚者血清hs-CRP水平显著高于高血压合并颈动脉粥样硬化、肾损害及眼底病变者,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).高血压合并颈动脉粥样硬化者血清hs-CRP水平与高血压合并肾损害者比较差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).逐步回归分析显示,影响血清hs-CRP水平的主要因素为左室质量指数(LVMI)、年龄和高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C),其中与HDL-C呈负相关.结论 原发性高血压患者血清hs-CRP水平明显高于正常人群,高血压合并不同疾病时炎性反应程度不同,高血压合并冠心病患者的hs-CRP水平显著高于高血压合并糖尿病患者.血清hs-CRP水平与靶器官损害数目呈正相关;靶器官损害不同,炎性反应程度不同.影响hs-CRP水平的主要因素为LVMI、年龄和HDL-C,其中与HDL-C呈负相关.     

A Multifactorial Approach to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Now More Than Ever

Managing cardiovascular (CV) risk is an important part of caring for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, as the disease itself confers CV risk. Many CV risk factors (such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity) have been found to be more common among individuals with diabetes than in the general population. A growing body of evidence provides guidance for clinicians on how to balance control of hyperglycemia with management of these risk factors. Newer classes of antihyperglycemic agents have been associated with beneficial effects on several CV risk factors; several studies evaluating the effect of these newer diabetic medications on CV outcomes have been published, and several more are in progress. While evidence continues to unfold about the benefits of risk factor control in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, this article reviews evidence related to risk-factor control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus as well as recent findings on the effect of newer drug classes on CV risk factors and outcomes. Favorably altering CV risk factors appears to improve outcomes, and is more important now than ever before.     

2型糖尿病伴高血压联合降压方案的临床研究

目的 探讨联合降压治疗2型糖尿病伴高血压的临床疗效.方法 研究对象为2007年9月～2010年12月某院牧治的2型糖尿病伴高血压患者76例,其中硝苯地平治疗组设为对照组(27例),依那普利和络活喜联合治疗组设为观察组(49例),比较分析两组患者临床疗效及并发症情况.结果 观察组总有效率为87.7％;对照组总有效率为51.8％,两组差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);治疗前观察组合并糖尿病肾病9例、冠心病11例;对照组合并糖尿病肾病5例、冠心病7例.治疗后观察组糖尿病肾病好转率66.7％,冠心病好转率27.7％;对照组糖尿病肾病好转率25.0％,冠心病好转率28.6％,两组差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 在2型糖尿病伴高血压的治疗中联合降压治疗效果显著,安全可靠,值得临床上推广应用.     

Endothelial dysfunction in diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, even in the presence of intensive glycemic control. Substantial clinical and experimental evidence suggest that both diabetes and insulin resistance cause a combination of endothelial dysfunctions, which may diminish the anti-atherogenic role of the vascular endothelium. Both insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction appear to precede the development of overt hyperglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes. Therefore, in patients with diabetes or insulin resistance, endothelial dysfunction may be a critical early target for preventing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Microalbuminuria is now considered to be an atherosclerotic risk factor and predicts future cardiovascular disease risk in diabetic patients, in elderly patients, as well as in the general population. It has been implicated as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and premature cardiovascular mortality for patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus, as well as for patients with essential hypertension. A complete biochemical understanding of the mechanisms by which hyperglycemia causes vascular functional and structural changes associated with the diabetic milieu still eludes us. In recent years, the numerous biochemical and metabolic pathways postulated to have a causal role in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular disease have been distilled into several unifying hypotheses. The role of chronic hyperglycemia in the development of diabetic microvascular complications and in neuropathy has been clearly established. However, the biochemical or cellular links between elevated blood glucose levels, and the vascular lesions remain incompletely understood. A number of trials have demonstrated that statins therapy as well as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors is associated with improvements in endothelial function in diabetes. Although antioxidants provide short-term improvement of endothelial function in humans, all studies of the effectiveness of preventive antioxidant therapy have been disappointing. Control of hyperglycemia thus remains the best way to improve endothelial function and to prevent atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular complications of diabetes. In the present review we provide the up to date details on this subject.     

Hypertension in Women

Hypertension is the most common cause of increased risk for heart and vascular disease in the adult population. Both men and women are at risk for hypertension and both benefit from antihypertensive therapy. However, hypertension tends to be less prevalent in women and is better tolerated; hypertensive women have fewer strokes and hean attacks than do hypertensive men. Women may develop reversible hypertension due to use of birth control pills. Another form of curable secondary hypertension, renal artery stenosis caused by fibromuscular dysplasia, is much more frequent in young women than men. Antihypertensive drug treatment for severe hypertension benefits both sexes, although clinical trials establishing this have been conducted only in men. There is no proof that white women with mild hypertension benefit from antihypertensive drug therapy. Nondrug approaches including weight reduction, change in diet, and exercise may be equally beneficial.     

Effect of candesartan cilexetil on diabetic and non-diabetic hypertensive patients: meta-analysis of five randomized double-blind clinical trials

Objective

To study the effect of candesartan cilexetil (CC) in the management of blood pressure (BP) in diabetic and non-diabetic hypertensive patients.

Methods

A selection of five randomized double-blind clinical trials in which patients were treated for hypertension with CC was analyzed. All of these were similar in design: i) a 4-week placebo run-in period, ii) a 4-to 6-week period (V1) with CC 8 mg once daily (od), after which the dosage was doubled if BP was not normalized (BP >140/90 or BP >130/80 mmHg in diabetes), and iii) a 4- to 6-week period (V2) with CC 8 or 16 mg od. Efficacy was measured at V1 and V2.

Results

702 patients were screened. The population consisted of 397 males (56.6%) with a mean age of 60 ± 11 years, with 153 diabetic (21.8%) and 549 non-diabetic (78.2%) patients. At baseline, mean BP values were 160/94/65 mmHg for SPB, DBP, and pulse pressure (PP) respectively, with differences between diabetic and non-diabetic patients. SBP, DBP, and PP values showed a significant reduction at V1 (p < 0.001) and V2 (p < 0.001) compared with baseline for all hypertensive patients. Mean changes at V2 in SBP and PP values were higher in diabetic than non-diabetic patients (p < 0.001), and to a lesser degree on DBP values (p = 0.034).

Conclusions

CC was effective in lowering BP in diabetic and non-diabetic hypertensive patients. CC is a promising therapy to manage hypertensive diabetic patients, as demonstrated by the significant BP reduction.

Short abstract

The effect of candesartan cilexetil (CC) on controlling blood pressure (BP) in hypertensive diabetic and non-diabetic patients was analyzed. Five randomized double-blind trials were pooled treating hypertension by CC (n = 702), including 153 diabetic (21.8%) and 549 non-diabetic (78.2%) patients. After treatment with CC (8–16 mg), significant reductions in SBP, DBP, and pulse pressure (PP) values were observed after 4–6 weeks (p < 0.001) and after 8–12 weeks (p < 0.001) compared with baseline for all hypertensive patients. Mean BP reductions after 8–12 weeks were higher in diabetic patients than non-diabetic (p < 0.001). CC is a promising therapy to treat hypertensive patients, both diabetic and non-diabetic.