Prevalence and Clinical Profile of Metabolic Syndrome in Hypertensive Subjects.

OBJECTIVE: (1) To study the prevalence and clinical attributes of metabolic syndrome in hypertensive subjects (2) To identify the factors determining the high prevalence of metabolic syndrome in hypertensive subjects. METHODS: After ethical considerations, this prospective observational study was conducted on 151 non-pregnant essential hypertensive adults. Diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was made as per the NCEP - ATP III criteria. The parameters were compared with those of hypertensive subjects without metabolic syndrome. RESULTS: Amongst the 151 subjects enrolled, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in hypertensive subjects was found to be 49.01% with a female preponderance (M: F =1: 1.39). The Metabolic Syndrome Score was 3, 4 and 5 in 52 (70.27%), 14 (18.91%) and 8 (10.81%), respectively in subjects positive for metabolic syndrome. Forty-six (62.16%) of the subjects with metabolic syndrome were in their sixth decade of life. Fifty-four subjects (73%) belonged to the lower socioeconomic strata. Sixty-three (85%) of the subjects were leading a sedentary lifestyle. The most common co-morbidity in these subjects was diabetes mellitus (66.21%, 49 subjects) followed by raised triglyceride levels (63.51%, 47 subjects). When compared with the hypertensive group not suffering from metabolic syndrome, statistical significance was noted with respect to central obesity (p<0.001), increased waist: height ratio (p<0.001) and BMI (p<0.001). No significant association was noted with the stage (p=0.163) or duration (p=0.850) of hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome is higher amongst hypertensive patients as compared to the general population. Increased waist: height ratio and BMI are important contributors to the high prevalence of this cardiac risk factor in hypertensive subjects.

Extreme Thrombocytosis.

A 55 years old female presented with hitherto abdominal pain and gangrenous changes of lower limbs. Patient was found to have extreme thrombocytosis. Approach to thrombocytosis is discussed here.

Antihypertensive efficacy of metoprolol XL/low dose chlorthalidone (6.25 mg) combination: a randomized, comparative study in indian patients with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: High blood pressure is one of the most important risk factors, directly responsible for increasing the cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The primary objective was to evaluate the efficacy of metoprolol XL/chlorthalidone against metoprolol XL/hydrochlorothiazide with respect to mean fall in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The secondary objective was to compare the response rates and to evaluate the tolerability of study medications in patients with mild-to-moderate essential hypertension. METHODS: Total 130 eligible patients (65: metoprolol XL 25 mg/chlorthalidone 6.25 mg; 65: metoprolol XL 25 mg/HCTZ 12.5 mg) were enrolled in this randomized, comparative, multicentric, 12-weeks study. Sixty-two patients from each group completed the study. After 4-weeks of treatment, non-responders from chlorthalidone 6.25 mg combination group were shifted to metoprolol XL 50 mg/chlorthalidone 12.5 mg and non-responders from HCTZ 12.5 mg combination group were escalated to metoprolol XL 50 mg/HCTZ 12.5 mg. RESULTS: The study treatment groups were comparable with respect to demography and baseline disease characteristics. Both the starting therapies were comparable with respect to mean fall in SBP (p = 0.788) and DBP (p = 0.939), and response rates (p = 1.0) after 4-weeks of therapy. Also both the step-up therapies showed similar mean fall in SBP (p = 0.277) and DBP (p = 0.507) at the end of 12-weeks. However, significantly more number of patients from chlorthalidone 12.5 mg/metoprolol XL 50 mg group responded to therapy as compared to that from HCTZ 12.5 mg/metoprolol XL 50 mg group (p = 0.045). All the reported adverse events were of mild-to-moderate intensity. There were no clinically significant trends in electrolytes (Na (+), K(+), Cl(-)) and fasting blood sugar, evident across the treatment groups. CONCLUSION: Chlorthalidone in combination with metoprolol XL is as effective and well tolerated as widely used combination of metoprolol XL/HCTZ, thus providing an alternative therapeutic option.

Clinical effectiveness of low-dose chlorthalidone (6.25 mg) + atenolol combination in stage I hypertensive patients: a multicenter, randomized, controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of low-dose chlorthalidone + atenolol combination with atenolol and atenolol + amlodipine combination in stage I hypertensive patients uncontrolled on active run-in monotherapy. METHODS: Newly diagnosed stage I hypertensive patients were randomized to active run-in monotherapy either with atenolol 25 mg (98/300) or chlorthalidone 6.25 mg (100/300) or amlodipine 2.5 mg (102/300). A total of 282/300 patients (atenolol 92, chlorthalidone 91, amlodipine 99) completed the active run-in phase successfully. Patients uncontrolled on active run-in monotherapy (atenolol 33, chlorthalidone 45, amlodipine 47) received the study treatment, namely atenolol 50 mg alone, chlorthalidone 6.25 mg+atenolol 25 mg and atenolol 25 mg+amlodipine 2.5 mg, respectively. Efficacy of the therapy was evaluated by BP measurement at weeks 12 and 20 post-therapy. RESULTS: Post-active run-in monotherapies, the study treatment groups showed a significant fall in mean SBP and DBP from baseline (p<0.05). The mean fall in SBP and DBP was comparable for study treatments (atenolol 50 mg, atenolol 25 mg+chlorthalidone 6.25 mg and atenolol 25 mg+amlodipine 2.5 mg) (p=0.337 for SBP and p=0.054 for DBP) at week 12 and (p=0.744 for SBP and p=0.855 for DBP) at week 20; also, the percentage of responders was comparable for the three study treatment groups (p=0.799) indicating that the low-dose chlorthalidone+atenolol combination is noninferior to the high-dose atenolol alone and atenolol+amlodipine combination. No serious laboratory/clinical adverse events were reported in this study. CONCLUSION: Chlorthalidone 6.25 mg in combination with atenolol 25 mg is effective and safe in stage I (JNC 7) essential hypertensive patients. This low dose of chlorthalidone could reduce dose-related concerns over metabolic adverse effects and may lead to wider usage of this proven antihypertensive agent in combination therapy.