Antihypertensive effects of olmesartan compared with other angiotensin receptor blockers: a meta-analysis.
OBJECTIVE
Angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonists (angiotensin receptor blockers [ARBs]) have been shown to be effective and well tolerated in hypertensive patients. Olmesartan is the seventh angiotensin receptor blocker licensed by the US Food and Drug Administration. The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the efficacy and tolerability of olmesartan medoxomil in comparison with other ARBs.


METHODS
Reports of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of olmesartan versus other ARBs were identified through a systematic search of PubMed (up to July 2010), EMBASE (1980 to July 2010), SinoMed (up to July 2010), and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Cochrane Library Issue 7, 2010).


METHODS
Pertinent studies were selected through extensive searches of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and SinoMed. Two of the authors abstracted data from the identified studies independently. Criteria for inclusion in our meta-analyses were randomized clinical trials in which patients were receiving an ARB and outcome data for blood pressure reduction or the incidence of adverse events were available. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of data from all RCTs meeting the criteria were performed. Our meta-analysis was undertaken according to the Quality of Reporting Meta-analyses (QUOROM) statement.


RESULTS
Twenty-two studies with data from 4892 patients were considered for analyses. Olmesartan provided greater diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) reductions compared with losartan (DBP: 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.59, 2.62; SBP: 95% CI 0.46, 5.92). Olmesartan provided greater SBP reductions compared with valsartan (95% CI 0.29, 3.16). Similar blood pressure response rates and incidence of adverse events were found with losartan, valsartan, candesartan, and irbesartan.


CONCLUSIONS
Olmesartan provides better antihypertensive efficacy than losartan and valsartan and has no association with an increased risk of adverse events in comparison with losartan, valsartan, candesartan, and irbesartan.
Company 11, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
Long
L
Wang
Jian-wei
JW
Zhao
Bing
B
Liu
Duo
D
Shi
Zui
Z
Zou
Xue-yin
XY
Shi
D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000068557:Olmesartan Medoxomil; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D007093:Imidazoles; D013777:Tetrazoles; D000068557:Olmesartan Medoxomil