Losartan titration versus diuretic combination in type 2 diabetic patients.
METHODS
We compared the effects of Losartan dose titration to 100 mg versus the addition of 12.5 mg of hydrochlorothiazide, in 90 type 2 diabetic patients with microalbuminuria and blood pressure > 130/85 mmHg, receiving losartan 50 mg as initial treatment during 4 weeks.


RESULTS
With the first dose of losartan, systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) decreased from 154.5 (152.1-157.5) to 144.4 (141.3-147.5) mmHg (P < 0.001) and from 91.1 (89.4-92.8) to 84.6 (82.8-86.4) mmHg (P < 0.001), with 20 patients attaining the expected goal blood pressure (< 130/85 mmHg); albuminuria decreased from 109.8 (90.5-133.3) to 83.5 (63.6-109.5) mg per 24 h (P = 0.006). Patients not attaining the target blood pressure were randomly allocated to titration or to the combination arm. After an additional 4 weeks, patients titrated exhibited a fall in SBP and DBP from 157.1 (152.7-161.5) to 142.1 (136.4-147.8) mmHg (P < 0.001) and from 92.4 (89.5-95.3) to 83.6 (81.1-86.1) mmHg (P < 0.001); albuminuria decreased from 136.3 (97.8-189.9) to 99.7 (69.3-143.4) mg per 24 h (P = 0.002). In the combination arm, there were similar reductions in SBP and DBP from 155.3 (151.5-159.1) to 139.1 (132.1-146.1) mmHg (P < 0.001) and from 92.1 (89.3-94.9) to 80.9 (77.4-84.4) mmHg (P < 0.001); while albuminuria fell from 107.7 (82.2-141.0) to 64.2 (45.9-89.9) mg per 24 h (P = 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Losartan 50 mg was effective in reducing blood pressure and albuminuria in type 2 diabetic patients. When the blood pressure target was not reached, the two strategies tested seem to contribute similarly to further reductions in blood pressure and albuminuria.
de Pablos-Velasco
Pedro Luis
PL
H.General de Gran Canaria Dr Negrín, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
Pazos Toral
Fernando
F
Esmatjes
Juan E
JE
Fernandez-Vega
Francisco
F
Lopez de la Torre
Martín Lopez
ML
Pozuelo
Antonio
A
Ruilope
Luis M
LM
D000368:Aged; D000419:Albuminuria / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000517:prevention & control; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000517:prevention & control; D004232:Diuretics; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D019808:Losartan / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D049993:Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide; D019808:Losartan