Effectiveness of eprosartan in diabetic hypertensive patients.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness and safety of eprosartan in reducing blood pressure in a group of diabetic patients and a group of non-diabetic patients in a primary care setting.


METHODS
The ESTEPP (Efficacy and Safety of Treatment with Eprosartan on Pulse Pressure) study was open, prospective, multi-centered, and observational. It compared the results obtained from diabetic (n=114, age 65.0+/-10.7 years, 46.4% men and 53.6% women) and non-diabetic patients (n=435, age 62.5+/-11.4 years, 45.8% men and 54.2% women). All patients had mild to moderate hypertension (VI JNC) and were treated with eprosartan (600 mg) once daily. They had four follow-up visits in 16 weeks. At each visit, blood pressure (using a semiautomatic OMRON 705CP device), adverse effects, and treatment compliance were checked.


RESULTS
Blood pressure decreased significantly (P<0.0001) in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients: SBP (25.9 mmHg vs. 26 mmHg), DBP (12.5 mmHg vs. 13.2 mmHg), MAP (16.9 mmHg vs. 17.5 mmHg), and pulse pressure (13.4 mmHg vs. 12.8 mmHg). Pulse pressure/MAP ratio showed a significant reduction in diabetics (baseline: 64+/-15%; final: 61+/-12%) and non-diabetics (baseline: 61+/-14%; final: 58+/-11%). The adverse effect rate was 7% in diabetic patients and 2.8% in non-diabetics. Treatment compliance did not differ between the groups (diabetics 98.0%, non-diabetics 92.2%).


CONCLUSIONS
Eprosartan seems to be effective in reducing SBP, DBP, and pulse pressure in hypertensive subjects and to the same extent in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients.
Robles
N R
NR
Department of Nephrology, Hospital Infanta Cristina, Badajoz, Spain. nroblesp@meditex.es
Martín-Agueda
B
B
López-Muñoz
F
F
Alamo
C
C
D000179:Acrylates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination / Q000379:methods; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000179:Acrylates; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D007093:Imidazoles; D013876:Thiophenes; C068373:eprosartan