Antihypertensive efficacy of irbesartan 300 mg alone or in combination with hydrochlorothiazide in essential hypertensives

The aim of this study was to assess the BP control achieved in essential hypertensives (EH) treated with 300 mg irbesartan (I 300) od combined with 12.5 hydrochlorothiazide (I+HCTZ) when necessary. 3.313 EH, mean age 59 y, 52.1% female, were enrolled in the study. BP was measured twice in the seated position. I 300 od was administered and 6 weeks later HCTZ was added in those EH with BP > 140 and 90 mmHg. The follow-up extended up to 24 weeks. BP at baseline were 157 (10) / 94 (6) mm Hg. After 6 weeks of treatment with I 300 BP fell to 144 (10) / 86.5 (7) mmHg (p<0.001). At this visit 929 EH (28%) received I+HCTZ. The evolution of BP and the rate of BP control on both groups of treatment were as followsThe differences between I 300 and I+HCTZ were significants EH treated with the combination had higher BP both at baseline and at 6w. BP reduction was higher among the 929 EH treated with the combination than in those treated with I 300. Treatment of EH with this therapeutic approach results in an unusual high rate of BP control that was achieved in 60.2% of the patients. (See Table) p < 0.05 compared with baseline.