Effects of Losartan on Serum Uric Acid Levels in Patients with Essential Hypertension

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a major health problem all over the world affecting 10-15% adult population. Serum uric acid is known to have positive association with blood pressure. Approximately 30% of these with hyperuricemia have hypertension. Elevated uric acid causes endothelial dysfunction, enhances platelet aggregation ,releases inflammatory mediators from the endothelium. Also, elevated uric acid increases cardiovascular morbidity and the incidence of stroke and chronic kidney disease. Hence simultaneous reduction of uric acid along with blood pressure reduction is essential while treating hypertensive patients. Losartan is an antihypertensive agents which belongs to the group of angiotensin receptor blockers. It has the property of reducing serum uric acid level by uricosuric effect when given for treatment in hypetensives. Hence this study was done to ascertain the uricosuric property of losartan and therfore reduction in serum uric acid levels in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients. AIM OF THE STUDY: To study the effect of losartan on serum uric acid levels in newly detected hypertensive patients. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of losartan in reducing serum uric acid levels in patients with Stage1 and stage 2 hypertension. METHODOLOGY: After approval from Institutional ethical committee ,100 patients were recruited. Demographic details and complete history were recorded during enrollment. Clinical Examination and lab investigations were done at baseline. Patients received T. losartan 50mg once daily for 1month duration. Efficacy was measured by serum uric acid at baseline, at the end of 1month, 3 month and 6 month. RESULTS: The study included 100 patients, 59 patients were male, 41 patients were female. Both the groups were similar in baseline characteristics. Mean systolic blood pressure reduced from baseline 145mmHg to 132.9 mmHg after 6 months of losartan which was statistically significant p value less than 0.001.Mean diastolic blood pressure reduced from baseline 93.8mmHg to 87.33mmHg after 6 months of losartan which was statistically significant p value less than 0.001. Mean serum uric acid reduced from baseline 7.652 to 6.313 mg/dl after 6 months of losartan which was statistically significant, p value less than 0.001. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that losartan is safe and effective in treating hypertensive patient with hyperuricemia owing to its uricosuric effect besides its antihypertensive action.