Effectiveness of eprosartan in diabetic hypertensive patients

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness and safety of eprosartan in reducing blood pressure in a group of diabetic patients and a group of non-diabetic patients in a primary care setting.MethodsThe ESTEPP (Efficacy and Safety of Treatment with Eprosartan on Pulse Pressure) study was open, prospective, multi-centered, and observational. It compared the results obtained from diabetic (n = 114, age 65.0 ± 10.7 years, 46.4% men and 53.6% women) and non-diabetic patients (n = 435, age 62.5 ± 11.4 years, 45.8% men and 54.2% women). All patients had mild to moderate hypertension (VI JNC) and were treated with eprosartan (600 mg) once daily. They had four follow-up visits in 16 weeks. At each visit, blood pressure (using a semiautomatic OMRON 705CP device), adverse effects, and treatment compliance were checked.ResultsBlood pressure decreased significantly (P < 0.0001) in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients: SBP (25.9 mmHg vs. 26 mmHg), DBP (12.5 mmHg vs. 13.2 mmHg), MAP (16.9 mmHg vs. 17.5 mmHg), and pulse pressure (13.4 mmHg vs. 12.8 mmHg). Pulse pressure/MAP ratio showed a significant reduction in diabetics (baseline: 64 ± 15%; final: 61 ± 12%) and non-diabetics (baseline: 61 ± 14%; final: 58 ± 11%). The adverse effect rate was 7% in diabetic patients and 2.8% in non-diabetics. Treatment compliance did not differ between the groups (diabetics 98.0%, non-diabetics 92.2%).ConclusionsEprosartan seems to be effective in reducing SBP, DBP, and pulse pressure in hypertensive subjects and to the same extent in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients.