title: Persistence and adherence to antihypertensive treatment in relation to initial prescription:  diuretics versus other classes of antihypertensive drugs.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of thiazide diuretics in the treatment of hypertension is widely considered as a first-line treatment, given the efficacy and low cost of this class of drugs. This indication is not unanimous, because thiazides can cause metabolic alterations, and other side effects that reduce compliance and persistence on treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In a multicentre, open-label randomized study we compared adherence and persistence to therapy of chlortalidone versus other treatments, as a first-line antihypertensive therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-two general practitioners (GPs) recruited 2409 hypertensive patients with indication to antihypertensive therapy, who were randomized in two arms to start treatment with chlortalidone (12.5-25 mg daily) or any other single medications (excluding thiazides). The patients have been followed for at least 2 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients receiving diuretic therapy as first-line antihypertensive treatment, modified antihypertensive treatment regimen more often than the others (79.1 versus 43.9%; χ (2)< 0.0001). Patients starting with diuretics received greater number of drugs, compared to patients starting with different antihypertensive therapy (1.55 versus 1.4 antihypertensive drugs; P < 0.0001), but achieved the same blood pressure (BP) control during the follow-up. No differences were observed in persistence and adherence to treatment between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results demonstrate that the recommendation to start antihypertensive therapy with diuretics, when no compelling indications are present, is not supported by the evidence that this strategy produces more rapid and better control of BP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Trimarco
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: de Simone
authors.forename: Raffaele
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Izzo
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: De Luca
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Giudice
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marino
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Damiano
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rozza
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Trimarco
authors.forename: Gianfranco
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Renzo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002752:Chlorthalidone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D002752:Chlorthalidone