Uncontrolled hypertension in a rural population of Jammu and Kashmir

Aim: Evaluation of the status of uncontrolled hypertension in diagnosed hypertensives who had been advised drug treatment in the rural areas of 6 districts in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and also the risk factors associated with it. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional observational study conducted between August 2020 to July 2021 in the form of health camps in six government health centres in 6 different rural districts. The camps were focussed on patients with hypertension, diabetes with or without heart disease. The areas included Machil in Kupwara, Khan Sahib in Budgam, Rajpora and Hawal in Pulwama, Rainawari in the Srinagar, Banihal in Ramban, and Jagti in Jammu. Enrolled patients were examined for body weight, blood pressure (BP), random blood sugar and serum lipid profile. The definition of hypertension was as per the eighth Joint National Committee (JNC-8) guidelines. Results: A total of 600 patients (50.1% males) were evaluated. Of these 335 (55%) had history of being diagnosed hypertension and had been recommended drugs for BP control Male: Female ratio 1:0.8.211(63.5%) of these had un controlled blood pressures on measurement. Two or more drugs had been prescribed in 65 (30.8%) patients, 34 (16%) were taking only single drug and 112(53%) were not on any drug. Uncontrolled hypertension was seen more often in age group of 40e60 years (49%), subjects more than 60 years had it in 40%. The comparison of risk factors between patients with diagnosed hypertension with those without it revealed use of tobacco, consumption of salted tea, presence of diabetes, dyslipidaemia as significant factors for the presence of uncontrolled hypertension. Conclusion: Uncontrolled hypertension in known patients prescribed drugs is highly prevalent in the rural population of J&K. Steps to mitigate this problem are needed on top priority.

Electronic APPS in assessing risk and monitoring of patients with arterial hypertension

The medical social significance of the arterial hypertension (AH) in the world is determined by its high prevalence, which allows to call it a non-infectious pandemic of today. The AH still remains the most common chronic disease that triggers the cardiovascular continuum, significantly reduces the body's adaptive capacity, worsens the living standards for people of socially minded age, and represents the leading global risk of increased cardiovascular mortality. The purpose of the study was comparison of informative value of various methods for measuring the arterial blood pressure (ABP) (office-based, home-based using electronic apps, and daily) in order to improve the risk assessment of the condition and monitoring the treatment efficiency for the AH patients. The method of qualitative and quantitative analysis of scientific literature and public online sources was used in the study. It has been established that the ABP analysis is an important tool to prevent the negative consequences of the AH. The results of the experimental study have revealed that hourly home-based ABP monitoring using a mobile electronic app is more informative than monitoring at long intervals, and provides information which is close to the average daily indicators obtained in the daily ABP monitoring.

The clinical stages, classifications and new therapeutic strategies of hypertension / 中国实用内科杂志

In the 2017 AHA Hypertension Guidelines, BP≥130/80 mm Hg was used as the new diagnostic criterion for hypertension, and risk stratification was emphasized according to the 10-year CVD risk. Lifestyle intervention, without pharmacological treatment, was recommended for low-risk patients whose BP≥130/80 mmHg. However, high risk patients should receive antihypertensive pharmacological treatment as soon as their BP≥130/80 mmHg. In the 2018 European Guidelines for the management of hypertension, the definition and classification of office hypertension still followed the standard of the 2013's edition, but more aggressive therapeutic strategies were recommended.Hypertension can be divided into primary hypertension and secondary hypertension. To screen and diagnose secondary hypertension, it is necessary not only to construct a systematic and standardized method to avoid missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis but also to avoid screening blindly.

Effects of Initiating Antihypertensive Therapy with Amlodipine or Hydrochlorothiazide on Creatinine Clearance in Hypertensive Nigerians with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Aims: To assess the effects of initiating antihypertensive therapy with amlodipine (AML) or hydrochlorothiazide (HCZ) for 48 weeks on creatinine clearance (Clcr) in hypertensive Nigerians with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Study Design: Randomized, open-label, prospective, outpatient study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria between March 2008 and March 2009. Methodology: We randomized 40 newly diagnosed hypertensive subjects with controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) aged 43-68 years to AML and HCZ treatment groups of 20 patients each (20 males (M) and 20 females (F)) and they were treated monotherapeutically, respectively, with AML 10mg and HCZ 25mg, all given once daily for 48 weeks. Body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), 24h urine volume, urine creatinine, serum creatinine and the corresponding Clcr for each day were evaluated at baseline before treatment and at the end of weeks 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 during treatment. Results: The 2 drugs significantly reduced BP and at week 48, the mean M vs F systolic BP (SBP)/Diastolic BP (DBP) decrease from baseline for AML group (27.0/17.5 vs 29.5/20.0 mmHg) was more significant than that of HCZ group (23.5/17.5 vs 22.0/16.5 mmHg, P < .01). HCZ caused maximum M vs F diuresis (1593.00 +/- 27.21 vs 1587.00 +/- 30.60 ml) at week 3 and this was significantly higher than that (1526.00 +/- 27.10 vs 1516.00 +/- 22.76 ml, P < .01) produced by AML. Although the treatment effect exerted by the 2 drugs on Clcr was significant (P =.05), time-dependent changes in the mean values, which were higher in AML group, were not significantly different. Conclusion: It is demonstrated that in hypertensive Nigerians with type 2 DM, single daily doses of these medications do not have a clinically significant effect on Clcr over a longterm monotherapy. Accordingly, with regard to HCZ greater diuresis which may cause problems particularly in the elderly, AML appears to be a preferred logical alternative to substitute for low dose HCZ therapy.

Minor strokes: clinical characteristics, methods of diagnostics, and principles of prevention of its complications into major stroke / Монголын Анагаах Ухаан

BackgroundEarly detection of minor strokes and their treatment that aim to prevent from complications into severe strokes is a process of secondary prevention. There is a need to extensively use image diagnostics (CT, MRI) because signs are obscure, at times without focal neurological sign but can have special mental or psychological syndromes. The start of minor stroke studies in Mongolia will enable further deepening of these studies in future and give an impetus to identification of theoreticaland practical aspects together with further improvement of diagnostics, treatment and prevention of minor strokes.GoalTo develop and introduce the diagnostic criteria of ischemic and hemorrhagic minor strokes in accordance to the concepts of minor strokes and to treat minor stokes in order to prevent complications into severe strokes.Materials and MethodCurrently there are no globally accepted diagnostic criteria for minor stroke. We support the 1981 WHO criteria of minor strokes as strokes neurological signs of which disappear in relatively short period of time. There is a general notion that it should mean all light forms of stroke other than severe strokes. In cases of neurological signs of a minor stroke, complete recovery and elimination of the symptoms take up to 3 weeks. Most scholars tend to consider ischemic lacunar strokes (arising from occlusion of arteriole vessels deep in the brain and with size of 0.5-20 mm) as minor strokes. We maintained the concept that characteristic features of these strokes are their limited focal areas and the following neurological symptoms: pure motor, pure sensory, light ataxia, etc. We also duly considered a suggestion (D. German, L. G. Koshchug et al, 2008 ) to define minor hemorrhagic strokes as strokes with diameter less than 2 cm and blood volume less than 5 cm3.We identified 60 patients with minor strokes, involved in monitoring using special research template (with a term of at least 1.5years) and involved in pathogenesis treatment. In the treatment, we maintained a principle of differential diagnosis of ischemic stroke symptoms. Specifically, we differentiated the following: signs related to an atherotromb, cardio-embolic, lacunar, hemodynamic, hemorheologic pathogenesis. To verify the diagnoses, we used MRT and CT image tests. We executed paraclinic tests in order to identify risk factors: Doppler-duplex-sonography, brain angiography, blood lipid fraction, ECG, EchoCG, heart Holter, blood hemorheology test, and identified the most affecting factors (hereditary factors, excess weight, smoking etc).Results: Our study identified the following clinical forms: lacunar stroke, non-lacunar minor stroke, and hemorrhagic minor stroke. Among the minor strokes, the lacunar stroke dominates (48%), the nonlacunar stroke is the next (27.7%), and the hemorrhagic was found to be the least common 25%. From among a host of risk factors, arterial hypertension is dominant (86%) either alone or in combination with such other diseases as diabetes, atherosclerosis etc. Diabetes occurrence was 5 cases (8,3%) which is fewer than in some foreign studies.The clinic of minor stroke also varies. The strength and expression of their symptoms compared with those of severe strokes are unique in the following:- Relatively lighter and recover faster as a result of treatment even in acute forms,- Some are without specific clinical signs (“silent stroke”).- Some minor strokes have micro focal signs, for example, “pure motor”, pure sensory, ataxia etc, in other words, the signs are limited.- In cases of lacunar strokes, predominantly deep brain arterioles are damaged.- Whereas in non-lacun strokes, embolic, ateroma, thrombotic mechanisms are predominant suchas distal branches of big artery. - In cases of hemorrhagic minor strokes, arteriopathy distortions occur not only in depth of brain but also in any small lobar vessels of brain.- Focal lesions have some variations by their pathological locations and minor stroke signs.In non-lacunar strokes (25%), the focal damages predominantly occur in branches of large intra/extra cranial arteries. In cases of lacunars strokes, the focal lesion is not in branches of large intracranial vessels, but is predominantly in basal ganglia, deep white matter, thalamus, pons and in area of deep penetrating arterial vessels. However, focal infarcts in cerebella may occur in any form of minor strokes.ConclusionAccording our study there were identified 3 subtypes of minor stroke. The finding is that lacunars and hemorrhagic minor strokes are more likely to give grounds to severe strokes. From this, it can be concluded that there are specific factors in the population of Mongolia to affect the genesis of minor strokes, namely, arterial hypertension which is directly related with these forms of minor strokes. We appropriate the WHO criteria of minor stroke that is neurological signs of a minor stroke, complete recovery and elimination of the symptoms take up to 3 weeks. In treatment of minor stroke, we suggest that minor strokes should be treating by pathogenetic therapy. Namely, antihypertensive therapy for lacunar infarction, anti-aggregation therapy for nonlacunar infarction and haemostatic and antihypertensive therapy for hemorrhagic minor stroke.

Potenciais interações medicamentosas identificadas em prescrições a pacientes hipertensos / Potential drug interactions identified in prescriptions to hypertensive patients

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A hipertensão arterial (HA) é uma disfunção crônica com alta prevalência entre a população brasileira e mundial. A resposta terapêutica depende, na maioria dos casos, de politerapia o que propicia interações que podem impedir os benefícios do tratamento ou ainda causar sérios riscos à saúde dos pacientes. O objetivo deste estudo foi apresentar dados epidemiológicos descritivos acerca das interações medicamentosas presentes em prescrições, no sentido de apontar os potenciais riscos à saúde dos pacientes atendidos em centro médico público em uma cidade do interior do Estado de São Paulo. MÉTODO: Foi avaliada a população (600 pacientes de ambos os gêneros) que recebeu prescrições com, no mínimo, um medicamento anti-hipertensivo, tendo sido adquiridos na farmácia comunitária do Centro Médico "Januário Theodoro de Souza", Pradópolis, SP, entre fevereiro e março de 2009. RESULTADOS: Do total das prescrições, apenas 16,30% se baseou na monoterapia. Ao todo, foram prescritos 1855 medicamentos, ou seja, três medicamentos/paciente, não necessariamente fármacos anti-hipertensivos. Verificou-se 1440 interações, sendo 192 tipos diferentes, com média de 2,4 interações/paciente. Dos fármacos não anti-hipertensivos, os mais prescritos foram ácido acetilsalicílico (24,5%) e dipirona (14,0%). A maioria dos hipertensos foi submetida à politerapia e, portanto, frequentemente expostos às interações, principalmente com anti-inflamatórios não esteroides, o que, dentre outros efeitos adversos, corroboram para o aumento da pressão arterial. CONCLUSÃO: A politerapia anti-hipertensiva, inerente à prescrição, tem potencial para acarretar prejuízos à eficácia e segurança terapêutica (incluindo falta de adesão ao tratamento), devido às elevadas possibilidades de interações negativas.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Hypertension is a chronic disorder with high prevalence among the Brazilian and worldwide population. The therapeutic response depends, in most cases, on the polytherapy, which provides interactions that may avoid the benefits of treatment or cause serious health risks to patients. The aim of this study was to present descriptive epidemiological data about drug interactions in the prescriptions, in order to point out potential risks to the health of patients treated in a Public Medical Center in a cityin the São Paulo state. METHOD: It was evaluated the population (600 patients of both genders) who received prescriptions containing, at least one, antihypertensive medication, which were acquired in the community pharmacy of the Medical Center "Januário Theodoro de Souza," Pradópolis, SP, between February and March/2009. RESULTS: Of the total prescriptions, only 16.3% were based on monotherapy. A total of 1855 drug prescriptions were recorded considering antihypertensive and other drugs, an average of three drugs per patient. There were 1440 drug interactions of 192 different types, with an average of 2.4 interactions per patient. Considering the non-antihypertensive drugs the most prescribed were acetylsalicylic acid (24.5%) and dipyrone (14.0%). Most hypertensive patients underwent polytherapy and therefore were frequently exposed to interactions, particularlyof antihypertensive with steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which, amongst other adverse effects, corroborate to increase blood pressure. CONCLUSION: The antihypertensive polytherapy, inherent in the prescription for treating this disorder, is potentially harmful to the efficacy and safety (including lack of adherence to treatment), due to high chances of negative interactions.

Nonadherence to medical therapy and risk factors of non-compliance among mongolian people with essential arterial hypertensiony / Монголын Анагаах Ухаан

Introduction: The World Health Organization describes poor adherence as the most important cause of uncontrolled blood pressure and estimates that 50–70% of people do not take their antihypertensive medication as prescribed.Goal was to measure non-adherence to antihypertensive therapy in a representative sample of the hypertensive Mongolian population and to define the factors associated with non-adherence in the studied population.Materials and Methods:This descriptive study was a questionnaire-based cross sectional analysis. A simple random sample of 735 hypertensive patients, aged 35-64 years was selected. The questionnaire included sociodemographic characteristics and awareness about hypertension and anti-hypertensive treatment, and factors that encouraged or discouraged the patient’s drug taking behavior. Adherence was assessed using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS), with a 4-item questionnaire. Blood pressure was measured twice by the physicians using aneroid sphygmomanometers and stethoscopes. Results and Discussion: The study sample consisted of 265 men (36.1%) and 470 women (63.9%). The mean age of participants was 53.8 ± 8.7 years. The non adherence to medical treatment found in the our study was 68.3% of hypertensive patients. We found younger age (35-44), low family income, not having a regular doctor towards hypertension control, behaviour not taking drug regularly, monotherapy and lack of patient’s knowledge to be the significantly factors influencing on non-adherence to anti-hypertensive medication among Mongolian hypertensive population. The non adherence to antihypertensive treatment found in the current study was higher than that of 25.9%-55.8% found in the study done in Malaysia, Pakistan and Egypt and lower than what a study in the Bangladesh , India and Brazil (74.2%-90.0%)population.Conclusion: The level of adherence to treatment among the participants in this study seriously needs to be improved through well designed health promotion and education strategies in order to prevent poor treatment outcomes.

Perfil de paciettes diabéticos tipo 2 usuários e insulina disponibilizada pelaa secretaria municipal de saúde de maringá, pr, Brasil / Profile of ype-22 diabetes nsulin-user patients provided by the municipal health department of maringá, pr, Braiil

Investigou-se o perfil de 80 pacientes diabéticos tipo 2 (PDT2), constituído de homens (45%) e mulheres (55%) com média de idade de 62,8 ± 8,5 anos, usuários de insulina NPH fornecida pela Secretaria Municipal de Saúde de Maringá, PR, Brasil. Obteve-se informações por meio de um questionário e pela medida do índice de massa corporal (IMC). Verificou-se que: 1) 72% apresentavam obesidade ou sobrepeso; 2) 67,5% utilizavam antihipertensivos dos quais os inibidores da enzima conversora (ECA) e os bloqueadores dos receptores de angiotensina (BRA) representavam 84%; 3) O IMC foi similar em PDT2 usuários ou não de agentes antihipertensivos; 4) 46% além da insulina utilizavam antidiabéticos orais; 5) a dose de insulina (unidades. kg-1. dia-1) foi inferior (p< 0,05) em usuários de antihipertensivos, sugerindo existir uma correlação entre terapia antihipertensiva e o uso de menores doses de insulina. Este efeito ocorreria de maneira independente do IMC ou da simultânea a terapia com antidiabéticos orais.

The profile of 80 type-2 diabetic patients (T2DP), male (45%) and female (55%), with mean age 62.8 ± 8.5 years old, receiving NPH insulin from the municipal health department of Maringa city, PR, Brazil, was investigated. Information about each volunteer was obtained using a questionnaire and an evaluation of body mass index (BMI). It was verified that: 1) 72% showed obesity or overweight; 2) 67.5% used antihypertensive drugs in which angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) were the main antihypertensive drugs (84%); 3) The BMI was similar in the T2DP with hypertension or without hypertension; 4) 46%, in addition to insulin therapy, also used antidiabetic drugs; 5) The daily dose of insulin (units. kg-1. day-1) in the group which received antihypertensive therapy was lower (p< 0.05), suggesting the presence of a relationship between antihypertensive treatment and lower doses of insulin. In addition, this relationship would occur independently of the influence of BMI or the simultaneous treatment with oral antidiabetic drugs.

Oxidative stress in hypertension : Association with antihypertensive treatment.

There is growing evidence that oxidative stress contributes to the pathogenesis of hypertension. Our aim was to measure oxidative stress in hypertensive subjects, and assess the potential confounding influences of antihypertensive therapy. Serum malondialdehyde and antioxidant levels were estimated in patients at the time of presentation and also after a antihypertensive therapy for 3 months. During the period of study no antioxidant/s was given to the patients and control subjects. Mean blood pressure values were altered in the hypertensive patients following antihypertensive therapy from their respective values observed at the time of presentation. Serum malondialdehyde levels were significantly higher in the hypertensive patients in comparison to control cases. The antioxidant activity of enzymes super oxide dismutase, glutathione and non enzymatic antioxidant levels of vitamins E and C were significantly lower in patients compared to controls. After 3 months of antihypertensive treatment all the above parameters showed reversal in the respective levels of serum malondialdehyde and antioxidant activity. Antihypertensive medications lower the blood pressure and thereby results in reduced oxidative stress which indicates that oxidative stress is not the cause, but rather a consequence, of hypertension.

Blood pressure and cardiorenal responses to antihypertensive therapy in obese women

OBJECTIVE: Blood pressure(BP) and target organ responses to antihypertensive drugs are not well established in hypertensive obese patients. This study is aimed at evaluating the effects of obesity and adiposity distribution patterns on these responses. METHODS: 49 hypertensive obese women were designated to different groups according to waist to hip ratio measurements - 37 with troncular and 12 with peripheral obesity. Patients were treated for 24-weeks on a stepwise regimen with cilazapril alone or a cilazapril/hydrochlorothiazide/amlodipine combination therapy to achieve a BP lower than 140/90mmHg. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), echocardiography, and albuminuria were assessed before and after the intervention. RESULTS: After 24 weeks, weight loss was less than 2 percent in both groups. ABPM targets were achieved in 81.5 percent of patients upon a combination of 2(26.5 percent) or 3(55.1 percent) drugs. Similar reductions in daytime-SBP/DBP: -22.5/-14.1(troncular obesity) / -23.6/-14.9mmHg (peripheral obesity) were obtained. Decrease in nocturnal-SBP was greater in troncular obesity patients. Upon BP control, microalbuminuria was markedly decreased, while only slight decrease in left ventricular mass was observed for both groups. CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of weight loss, most patients required combined antihypertensive therapy to control their BP, regardless of their body fat distribution pattern. Optimal target BP and normal albuminuria were achieved in the group as a whole and in both obese patient groups, while benefits to cardiac structure were of a smaller magnitude.

As respostas pressórica e de órgãos-alvo mediante o tratamento anti-hipertensivo medicamentoso, não estão bem estabelecidas em pacientes obesos hipertensos. O presente estudo tem por objetivo avaliar as repercussões da obesidade e da distribuição de gordura corporal sobre estas respostas. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliadas 49 mulheres obesas hipertensas, separadas em subgrupos com distribuição troncular (n = 37) e periférica (n = 12) de gordura, de acordo com a distribuição cintura/quadril. As pacientes foram tratadas por 24 semanas com um regime anti-hipertensivo escalonado, iniciando-se com cilazapril e adicionando-se na seqüência, hidroclortiazida e amlodipina, com alvo pressórico inferior a 140 x 90 mmHg. Foram realizados MAPA, ecocardiograma e microalbuminuria antes e após o tratamento. RESULTADOS: Depois de 24 semanas observou-se perda de peso inferior a 2 por cento em ambos os subgrupos. O controle pressórico à MAPA pode ser observado em 81,5 por cento das pacientes mediante a combinação de duas (26,5 por cento) ou três (55,1 por cento) drogas. Foram obtidas reduções similares nas medidas de PAS/PAD diurnas: -22,5/-14,1(obesas tronculares)/-23,6/-14,9 mmHg (obesas periféricas), enquanto se observou nas obesas tronculares redução maior na PAS noturna. Mediante o controle pressórico, houve redução acentuada da microalbuminúria nos dois subgrupos. Por outro lado, observou-se em ambos, apenas discreta redução na massa ventricular. CONCLUSÕES: Na ausência de perda significativa de peso, e independentemente da distribuição de gordura corporal, a maioria das pacientes obesas necessitou terapia anti-hipertensiva combinada a fim de obter controle pressórico. Em ambos os subgrupos foram alcançados níveis adequados de pressão arterial e redução satisfatória da microalbuminúria, ao passo que os benefícios para a regressão estrutural cardíaca foram menores.

Trastornos hipertensivos del embarazo / Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

Los trastornos hipertensivos del embarazo son problemas médicos importantes que explican una proporción elevada de complicaciones maternas y fetales. La preeclampsia constituye la más grave de las complicaciones hipertensivas del embarazo y puede resultar catastrófica si pasa inadvertida, sin tratamiento o si evoluciona hacia una eclampsia. El tratamiento adecuado requiere tener presente los cambios normales de la presión arterial y del volumen intravascular que tienen lugar durante el embarazo. La preeclamsia se caracteriza por vasoconstricción extrema, aumento de la reactividad vascular y disminución del volumen intravascular. El desafío mayor es enfrentar el tratamiento por el hecho de estar en riesgo 2 vidas y porque no existen estudios de vigilancia prolongada con los diferentes fármacos antihipertensivos. En esta revisión se presenta una propuesta de tratamiento donde se discuten las pautas terapéuticas fundamentales basadas en la correcta utilización de los pilares principales de terapia antihipertensiva, con eficacia y seguridad reconocida, que incluye la metildopa, la hidralacina, los bloqueadores a y ß (labetalol), los anticálcicos y los betabloqueadores.

The hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are important medical problems that explain a great number of maternal and fetal complications. Preeclampsia is the most severe of the hypertensive complications of pregnancy and it may be catastrophic if it is not treated or if it evolves towards eclampsia. The adequate treatment requires to have in mind the normal changes of arterial hypertension and of the intravascular volume taking place during pregnancy. Preeclampsia is characterized by an extreme vasoconstriction, increase of the vascular reactivity and decrease of the intravascular volume. The greatest challenge is to face the treatment, due to the fact that two lives are at risk and that no studies of prolonged surveillance have been conducted with the different antihypertensive drugs. In this review, a treatment is proposed and the fundamental therapeutic guidelines are discussed based on the correct utilization of the main milestones of antihypertensive therapy with efficacy and recognized safety, inlcuding methyldopa, hydralazine, a and b blockers (labetalol), calcium antagonists and betablockers.

Magnitud, velocidad y eficacia antihipertensiva de la Nifedipina de liberación programada en microgránulos en el tratamiento de pacientes con hipertensión arterial esencial

La magnitud, velocidad y eficacia antihipertensiva de la nifedipina de liberación programada en microgránulos (NLPM) fue evaluada en pacientes con hipertensión moderada a severa. Un total de ciento treinta y cinco pacientes fueron evaluados durante seis semanas en un estudio prospectivo, abierto, comparativo y cruzado. 25.9% (n = 35) fueron pacientes controles normales, del resto eran pacientes hipertensos, 40% (n = 54 pacientes) recibieron 30 mgrs (8am ó 8pm) de NLPM y 20.7% (n = 28 pacientes) recibieron 60 mgrs (8am ó 8pm) de NLPM, el 13.3% de los pacientes admitidos (n = 18) fueron considerados como fracasos de la medicación. Ambas dosis a los distintos horarios de la toma disminuyeron significativamente las presiones arteriales (p < 0.05). En los pacientes que lograron el punto deseado con 30 mgrs, éste se logró desde la 3ra. semana de administrado el medicamento manteniéndose en los niveles tensionales buscados hasta el final del estudio, siendo la magnitud más elevada de reducción de: 8am PAS 15.5 mmHg (12.2%), PAD 12 mmHg (12.6%), PAM 12.2 mmHg (10.9%) y 8pm de: PAS 14.1 mmHg (9.7%), PAD 9.5 mmHg (10.6%) y PAM 11.2 mmHg (10.05%), en cambio en aquellos que lograron el punto deseado con la administración de 60 mgrs, se observaron reducciones desde la 3ra. semana obteniéndose el efecto máximo a la 6ta.semana siendo la magnitud más elevada de reducción de: 8am PAS 26.3 mmHg (16.34%), PAD 18.5 mmHg (17.69%) y PAM 20.9 mmHg (17.0%) y 8pm PAS 22.5 mmHg (15.15%), PAD 18 mmHg (18.1%) y PAM 21.8 mmHg (18.5%). La magnitud de la respuesta antihipertensiva de la NLPM fue numéricamente mayor con 60 mgrs que con 30 mgrs, pero la velocidad de respuesta fue mayor con 30 mgrs probablemente debido a que las cifras tensionales al inicio del estudio eran mayores en el grupo que requirió 60 mgrs, (p < 0.05) llegándose al final del estudio (6ta. semana) a cifras tensionales normales y similares en ambos grupos (p > 0.05). La FC en el grupo de 30 mgrs (8am y 8pm) mostró una disminución significativa luego del tratamiento (p < 0.05), en cambio en el grupo de 60 mgrs éstas se mantuvieron inalteradas (p > 0.05). En conclusión NLPM demostró ser eficaz para el manejo de los pacientes con hipertensión leve a moderada, obteniéndose con la dosis de 60 mgrs mayor magnitud en el efecto hipotensor que con la dosis de 30 mgrs, exhibiendo esta última mayor velocidad de respuesta antihipertensiva.

The magnitude, velocity and antihypertensive effectiveness of the nifedipine liberation programmed in microgranules (NLPM) was evaluated in patients with moderate to severe hypertension. A total of one hundred and thirty five patients were evaluated during six weeks in a prospective, open, comparative and crossed study. Of that group, 25.9% (n = 35) were normal patients, the remainder of them were hypertensive patients, 40% (n = 54 patients) received 30 mgrs (8am or 8pm) of NLPM and 20.7% (n = 28 patients) received 60 mgrs (8am or 8pm) of NLPM, 13.3% of the admitted patients (n = 18) were considered as failures of the medication. Both doses at different schedules of the taking diminished the arterial pressures significantly (p <0.05). There were patients that reached the end point a 30 mgrs dose, this achievement was obtained from the 3rd week of medication keeping on these pressure levels until the end of the study, being the highest magnitude of reduction were: 8am PAS 15.5 mmHg (12.2%), PAD 12 mmHg (12.6%), PAM 12.2 mmHg (10.9%) and 8pm of: PAS 14.1 mmHg (9.7%), PAD 9.5 mmHg (10.6%) and PAM 11.2 mmHg (10.05%), on the other hand, in those who achieved the end point with the administration of 60 mgrs, reductions were observed from the 3rd week obtaining the maximum effect at the 6th week being the highest magnitude of reduction of: 8am PAS 26.3 mmHg (16.34%), PAD 18.5 mmHg (17.69%) and PAM 20.9 mmHg (17.0%) and 8pm PAS 22.5 mmHg (15.15%), PAD 18 mmHg (18.1%) and PAM 21.8 mmHg (18.5%). The magnitude of the antihypertensive response of the NLPM was numerically bigger with 60 mgrs than with 30 mgrs, but the response velocity was bigger with 30 mgrs maybe because the blood pressure at the beginning of the study were bigger in that group that required 60 mgrs, (p <0.05) arriving at the end of the study (6th week) to normal pressure figure, similar in both groups (p> 0.05). The heart rate in the group of 30 mgrs (8am and 8pm) showed a significant decrease after the treatment (p <0.05), on the other hand in the group of 60 mgrs these stayed unaffected (p> 0.05). In conclusion NLPM demonstrated to be effective for the managing of patients with light to moderate hypertension, obtaining a bigger magnitude in the blood pressure effect with a dose of 60 mgrs than with a dose 30 mgrs, however, with this last dose, the antihypertensive response was more fast.

Reversal of arterial stiffness by treatment with the angiotensin receptor antagonist irbesartan in essential hypertension / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Alterations of mechanical properties in the vasculature may contribute to complications of hypertension. Since angiotensin II plays a pivotal role in these vascular abnormalities, we tested the hypothesis that the AT1 angiotensin receptor antagonist irbesartan, in contrast to the beta-blocker atenolol, would correct artery stiffness in essential hypertensive patients. METHODS: Thirty untreated essential hypertensive patients (48 +/- 7 years, range 35-65; 72% male) were randomly assigned in a single-blind fashion to irbesartan or atenolol treatment for 6 months. Fifty one age/sex-matched normotensive subjects were also studied. Systemic arterial stiffness (augmentation index; AI) was measured by the pressure transfer function using radial pulse tonometry. RESULTS: Both treatments reduced blood pressure (BP) to a comparable degree (irbesartan: 160 +/- 19/105 +/- 13 to 133 +/- 16/92 +/- 10 mmHg, p<0.01; atenolol: 166 +/- 17/113 +/- 9 to 132 +/- 15/90 +/- 8 mmHg, p<0.01). Other hemodynamic parameters of peripheral and central arteries showed similar degree of reduction, except significant reduction of central pulse pressure with irbesartan treatment (42 +/- 20 to 29 +/- 8 mmHg, p=0.01 vs 41 +/- 14 to 34 +/- 12 mmHg of atenolol treatment). After 6-month treatment, systemic arterial stiffness (AI) was significantly reduced from 28 +/- 11 to 21 +/- 11% (p=0.01) after irbesartan but atenolol treatment showed no change (from 29 +/- 8 to 29 +/- 13%). Reversal of arterial stiffness correlated mostly with reduction of central pulse pressure (r=0.63, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The AT1 angiotensin antagonist irbesartan corrected the altered arterial stiffness from patients with essential hypertension by reduction of central pulse pressure, whereas the beta-blocker atenolol had no effect.

The Effects of Carvedilol, a Vasodilating β-adrenoceptor Blocker, on the Quality of Life in Hypertensive Patients / 薬剤疫学

Objective : Carvedilol is a non-selective β blocker with an α blocking activity. Since this drug is highly fat-soluble, it can pass through the blood-brain barrier, and thus may induce depression and lower QOL. In the present study, physicians and pharmacists collaborated to evaluate the antihypertension effect of carvedilol and post-administration changes in QOL. Furthermore, the relationship between QOL and antihypertension effect was analyzed.<BR>Design : Self-controlled study.<BR>Patients and Methods : Subjects were outpatients with hypertension above the age of 70 years who visited one of 42 medical institutions in Japan between April 1995 and March 1996. A total of 243 patients were registered, and 10-20 mg of carvedilol was administered once a day for six months. Pharmacists assessed the QOL of these patients by asking 82 questions on three separate occasions : before administration and one and six months after administration. The antihypertensive effect of this drug was investigated in patients in whom all three QOL questionnaires were collected. The main test items were antihypertensive effect, changes in QOL (subjective QOL with a special emphasis on patient psychology), and the relationship between antihypertensive effect and QOL. The antihypertensive effect of this drug was statistically analyzed by a paired t-test, and changes in QOL were statistically analyzed using generalized estimating equations.<BR>Results : All three QOL questionnaires were collected from a total of 146 patients. Their pre-administration systolic blood pressure was 159.6±1.4 mmHg, and diastolic blood pressure 94.0±0.9 mmHg, and their blood pressure decreased significantly one month after the start of administration. This antihypertensive effect of carvedilol persisted, and the systolic and diastolic blood pressure of these patients six months after the start of administration was 141.1±1.2 and 85.2±0.7 mmHg, respectively (significant decreases when compared to pre-administration levels ; both p<0.05).<BR>Subjective QOL improved significantly after carvedilol administration. And, changes were not seen in sexual function. Changes in the five categories of subjective QOL were as follows : psychological stability, disease-induced inconvenience, and independence improved significantly after carvedilol administration, but changes were not seen in gratification or vitality. However, improvements in subjective QOL did not correlate with improvements in blood pressure.<BR>Conclusions : The results of the present study showed that carvedilol improved QOL without negatively affecting sexual function. Subjective QOL reflects the psychological well-being of patients. In the present study, psychological stability, disease-induced inconvenience, and independence improved significantly, but changes were not seen in gratification or vitality. Since β blockers can suppress the central nervous system, they can reduce psychological stability, gratification and vitality. Even though carvedilol is highly fat-soluble, the results of non-clinical studies have shown that it does not suppress the central nervous system as much as propranolol. The results of the present study showed that carvedilol does not strongly suppress the central nervous system of humans. Moreover, significant changes in QOL were not seen between one and six months after the start of administration of carvedilol, suggesting that it is possible to estimate the QOL of patients on antihypertensive therapy after six months of administration by assessing their QOL one month after administration.