Initial combination therapy compared with monotherapy in diabetic hypertensive patients.

Author(s): Sowers JR, Lastra G, Rocha R, Seifu Y, Crikelair N, Levy DG

Affiliation(s): Diabetes and Cardiovascular Center, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA. sowersj@health.missouri.edu

Publication date & source: 2008-09, J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich)., 10(9):668-76.

Publication type: Comparative Study; Multicenter Study; Randomized Controlled Trial; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Subgroup analyses were performed for the diabetic and nondiabetic cohorts from 3 randomized clinical trials that had evaluated the systolic blood pressure (SBP)-lowering efficacy and tolerability of an angiotensin receptor blocker, valsartan, alone or in combination with hydrochlorothiazide to determine when and how to initiate combination therapy in hypertensive patients with diabetes. Blood pressure reductions achieved with monotherapy were compared with combination therapy in the diabetic and nondiabetic cohorts. In addition, multivariate models were developed to predict the likelihood of the goal SBP of < 130 mm Hg being reached in a diabetic patient with monotherapy or combination therapy across the range of baseline SBP values. In 2 of the 3 trials, comparable reductions in SBP were seen in the diabetic and nondiabetic cohorts. In all 3 studies, however, combination therapy provided greater blood pressure-lowering efficacy than monotherapy. The probability of achieving goal SBP was greater for diabetic patients started on combination therapy compared with monotherapy.