title: Anti-hypertensive strategies in patients with MEtabolic parameters, DIabetes mellitus and/or NephropAthy (the M E D I N A study).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The primary questions asked by the MEDINA (MEtabolic parameters, DIabetes mellitus and NephropAthy) study are: 1) Do angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I) have any advantages over angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB)? 2) Should the other drug for combination be a diuretic or a calcium-channel blocker (CCB)? 3) How are the risks reduced by the co administration of a statin?
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 439 hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome and/or diabetes mellitus were randomized to 2 groups: group 1--ramipril (ACE-I) or perindopril and group 2--losartan (ARB). Hydrochlorothiazide (diuretic) or amlodipine (CCB) were added to both groups. As a third step, a statin was added.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Blood pressure decreased 24.1/13.3 mmHg in the ACE inhibitor group and 25.9/13.5 in the losartan group. The difference was insignificant. Adding either hydrochlorothiazide or amlodipin was equally effective. There were no significant differences on metabolic parameters in the trial arms. Cholesterol level decreased by 0.95 mmol/L in the ACE-I group and 1.02 mmol/L in the ARB group (ns).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MEDINA has so far confirmed the equivalence of ACE-I and ARB in hypertension treatment. Adding either diuretic or CCB was equally effective. Our data support the current recommendations on adding a statin to reduce cardiovascular risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiology Division, University Hospital Brno, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Jindrich
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Spinar
authors.forename: Jiri
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vitovec
authors.forename: Miroslav
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soucek
mesh_terms: D017311:Amlodipine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019808:Losartan / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D016037:Single-Blind Method
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D004232:Diuretics; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D006852:Hydrochlorothiazide; D017311:Amlodipine; D019808:Losartan