Multicenter cluster-randomized trial of a multifactorial intervention to improve antihypertensive medication adherence and blood pressure control among patients at high cardiovascular risk (the COM99 study).

BACKGROUND: Medication nonadherence is common and results in preventable disease complications. This study assessed the effectiveness of a multifactorial intervention to improve both medication adherence and blood pressure control and to reduce cardiovascular events. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this multicenter, cluster-randomized trial, physicians from hospital-based hypertension clinics and primary care centers across Spain were randomized to receive and provide the intervention to their high-risk patients. Eligible patients were ≥ 50 years of age, had uncontrolled hypertension, and had an estimated 10-year cardiovascular risk greater than 30%. Physicians randomized to the intervention group counted patients' pills, designated a family member to support adherence behavior, and provided educational information to patients. The primary outcome was blood pressure control at 6 months. Secondary outcomes included both medication adherence and a composite end point of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular-related hospitalizations. Seventy-nine physicians and 877 patients participated in the trial. The mean duration of follow-up was 39 months. Intervention patients were less likely to have an uncontrolled systolic blood pressure (odds ratio 0.62, 95% confidence interval 0.50 to 0.78) and were more likely to be adherent (odds ratio 1.91, 95% confidence interval 1.19 to 3.05) than control group patients at 6 months. After 5 years, 16% of the patients in the intervention group and 19% in the control group met the composite end point (hazard ratio 0.97, 95% confidence interval 0.67 to 1.39). CONCLUSIONS: A multifactorial intervention to improve adherence to antihypertensive medication was effective in improving both adherence and blood pressure control, but it did not appear to improve long-term cardiovascular events.

[Differences between office and ambulatory control of hypertension in very elderly patients. The CARDIORISC - MAPAPRES project]. / Diferencias entre el control clínico y ambulatorio de la hipertensión arterial en pacientes muy ancianos. Proyecto CARDIORISC-MAPAPRES.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Hypertension is highly prevalent in the very elderly. We studied control rates of hypertension according to clinic blood pressure (BP) and ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) in treated hypertensives aged > or =80 years. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Data came from the Spanish Society of Hypertension ABPM Registry (CARDIORISC - MAPAPRES project), which comprises a nation-wide network of more than 1,000 physicians sending standardized ABPM registries via web. Between June 2004 and April 2007 we obtained a 33.829-patient database. Control of hypertension was defined at the clinic when office BP was <140/90mmHg and at the ABPM when mean BP during the 24-h period was <130/80mmHg. RESULTS: We identified 2,311 patients (6.8%) aged > or =80 years. Mean age (SD) was 83.1 (3.2) years and 63% were women. Control of clinic BP was observed in 21.5% of cases (95%CI: 19.1-23.9) and control of 24-h BP in ABPM was 42.1% (95%CI: 39.7-45.3). Prevalence of masked hypertension was 7.0% (95%CI: 6.0-8.0) and prevalence of office-resistant control (white coat) was 27.6% (95% CI: 25.7-29.4). Diabetes, kidney disease, and duration of hypertension were associated with lack of control in ABPM. CONCLUSIONS: In very old hypertensives, control of clinic BP was 21.5% but ambulatory-based hypertension control was 42.1%. Physicians should be aware that the likelihood of misestimating BP control is high in these subjects. A wider use of ABPM in the elderly with hypertension should be considered.

Effects of a Novel Nutraceutical Combination (Aquilea Colesterol®) on the Lipid Profile and Inflammatory Biomarkers: A Randomized Control Trial.

BACKGROUND: Cholesterol-lowering nutraceuticals are useful in the management of moderate hypercholesterolemia. METHODS: In a parallel-group, randomized, placebo-controlled double-blind trial we evaluated the effects on plasma total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), and inflammatory biomarkers of a nutraceutical combination (Aquilea Colesterol®) containing phytosterols (1.5 g), red yeast rice providing monacolin K (10 mg), hydroxytyrosol (5 mg), and plasma cholesterol values >5.17 mmol/L (>200 mg/dL) and LDL-c >2.97 mmol/L (>115 mg/dL). At baseline and at one and three months we recorded dietary habits; anthropometric parameters; blood pressure; lipid profile; fasting glucose; liver, renal, and muscle function tests, C-reactive protein (hs-CRP); and interleukin-6. RESULTS: 13 men and 27 women (mean age 61.8 years) completed the trial; 20 participants received the nutraceutical and 20 received placebo. No adverse effects were noted. Compared to placebo, at one and three months the nutraceutical reduced total cholesterol by 11.4% and 14.1%, LDL-c by 19.8% and 19.7%, and apolipoprotein B by 12.4% and 13.5%, respectively (p < 0.001; all). hs-CRP decreased significantly (p = 0.021) in the nutraceutical group. CONCLUSION: The nutraceutical Aquilea Colesterol® is useful for reducing total cholesterol, LDL-c, and inflammation in individuals with moderate hypercholesterolemia.

Practical application of the ATOM study: Treatment efficacy of antihypertensive drugs in monotherapy or combination (ATOM metaanalysis according to PRISMA statement); tables for the use of antihypertensive drugs in monotherapy or combination.

BACKGROUND: The response to antihypertensive drugs is predictable. The absence of precise prescription recommendations to treat arterial hypertension (HT) lead to use drugs unable to reduce blood pressure (BP) to target values.We published ATOM study, in which we found significant differences in the ability to reduce BP between the different drugs.The objective of the study was to determine the expected decrease in blood pressure with the use of commercialized doses of the drugs commonly used in the treatment of HT in clinical practice, to avoid the use of drugs or combinations that even with the best response, are unable to obtain the necessary BP decrease to reach the goal. METHODS: The analysis was based on the results of the ATOM study. To convert the mean doses of the different drugs and combinations in commercialized doses, the conclusions of the study by Law et al have been applied. RESULTS: Based on the results, two tables were drawn, one for systolic BP and the other for diastolic BP, where the doses of the different drugs and combinations are classified according to the BP decrease that can be expected from them. In order to favor the use of the tables in clinical practice, the different drugs have been grouped in intervals of 10 millimeters of mercury (mmHg) for the decrease of the systolic BP and of 5 mmHg for the diastolic BP. CONCLUSIONS: Recommendations for the use of antihypertensive treatments should not be limited to pharmacological families. They should also consider differences between drugs or specific combinations. From the data of the ATOM study we have implemented tables that express the effect of the drugs commonly used in clinical practice and that should allow the clinicians to choose with care the treatment to use.

Clinical characteristics of isolated clinic hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with isolated clinic hypertension (ICH) compared with other hypertensive patients, and to evaluate the capacity of physicians to predict a diagnosis of ICH. METHODS: A cross-sectional, comparative multicenter descriptive study was made of 6176 hypertensive individuals without pharmacological treatment, subjected to ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). In 2611 cases, ABPM was prescribed due to suspected ICH. The participants were consecutively selected in primary care centers and hospital hypertension units in all Spanish Autonomous Communities. ICH was defined by clinical blood pressure (BP) >or= 140 mmHg (systolic) or >or= 90 mmHg (diastolic), with diurnal ambulatory BP < 135 and < 85 mmHg (ICH1) or BP < 130 and < 80 mmHg (ICH2) or 24-h BP < 125 and < 80 mmHg (ICH3). RESULTS: ICH1, ICH2 and ICH3 criteria were met by 1807 (29.2%), 960 (15.5%) or 1133 (18.3%) subjects, respectively. Total sample mean age (SD) was 51.8 (14.1) years, and clinical BP 145.7 +/- 17.3/89.3 +/- 11.3 mmHg. Compared with the rest of the hypertensive individuals, the patients with ICH were predominantly female, of older age, with fewer smokers, and increased frequency of obesity. Moreover, they were more frequently nondippers, and with greater systolic BP in the office (P < 0.05), except when we used ICH3 criteria. The sensitivity and specificity of the physician predictions in relation to suspected ICH1, ICH2 and ICH3 were 48.7 and 60.4%, 52.9 and 59.7%, and 52.3 and 60.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of ICH is between 15 and 29%, depending on the defining criterion used. The 24-h ICH criteria are not affected by awake/sleep biases, and should be preferred. Clinical capacity for predicting ICH is low.

Reproducibility of the circadian blood pressure pattern in 24-h versus 48-h recordings: the Spanish Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Registry.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the reproducibility of the circadian blood pressure (BP) pattern over a 48-h period by comparing the first 24 h of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) with the following 24 h and with the mean over 48 h. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing 48-h ABPM within the National ABPM Registry of the Spanish Society of Hypertension, based on 800 Spacelabs 90207 monitors distributed throughout Spain in hypertension units and primary healthcare centres, were included. Between June 2004 and September 2005, 611 valid 48-h ABPM recordings were obtained, 235 corresponded to patients without antihypertensive treatment. RESULTS: The percentages of patients classified as non-dipper for the first 24 h, the second 24 h and the 48-h average were 47, 50 and 48%, respectively. When the first and second 24-h periods were compared, 147 (24%) subjects switched from dipper (D) to non-dipper (ND) or vice-versa. When the first 24-h period was compared to the 48-h average, 66 (11%) subjects switched patterns. The proportions were similar separately for systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and between treated and untreated patients. In subjects with poor ABPM reproducibility, night-to-day ratios were of an intermediate value between those of subjects always classified as D or ND. CONCLUSION: Categorization of D or ND based on a single 24-h ABPM is moderately reproducible, since one out of every five patients change profile over the following 24 h. Nevertheless, the use of 48-h ABPM in clinical practice should be assessed according to cost-effectiveness criteria. Night-to-day ratios may be helpful in identifying patients with a stable profile.

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in hypertensive patients with high cardiovascular risk: a cross-sectional analysis of a 20,000-patient database in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) parameters in a broad sample of high-risk hypertensive patients. METHODS: The Spanish Society of Hypertension is developing a nationwide project in which more than 900 physicians send ABPM registries and corresponding clinical records to a central database via www.cardiorisc.com. Between June 2004 and July 2005 a 20 000-patient database was obtained; 17 219 were valid for analysis. RESULTS: We identified 6534 patients with high cardiovascular risk according to the 2003 European Society of Hypertension/European Society of Cardiology guidelines stratification score. Office blood pressure (BP) was 158.8/89.9 mmHg and 24-h BP was 135.8/77.0 mmHg. Patients with grade 3 BP in the office showed ambulatory systolic BP values less than 160 mmHg in more than 80%. A non-dipping pattern was observed in 3836 cases (58.7%), whereas this abnormality was present in 47.9% of patients with low-to-moderate risk [odds ratio (OR) 1.54; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.45-1.64]. The prevalence of non-dippers was higher as ambulatory BP increased ( approximately 70% when 24-h systolic BP > 155 mmHg) and was similar in both groups. At the lowest levels of BP (24-h systolic BP < 135 mmHg) a non-dipping pattern was more prevalent in high-risk cases (56.6 versus 45.7%; OR 1.51; 95% CI 1.40-1.64). CONCLUSION: There was a remarkable discrepancy between office and ambulatory BP in high-risk hypertensive patients. The prevalence of a non-dipper BP pattern was almost 60%. In the lowest levels of ambulatory BP, high-risk patients showed a higher prevalence of non-dipping BP than lower-risk cases. These observations support the recommendation of a wider use of ABPM in high-risk hypertensive patients.

[Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (CABPM): clinical characteristics of 31,530 patients]. / Monitorización ambulatoria de la presión arterial (MAPA): características clínicas de 31.530 pacientes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is a useful diagnostic and therapeutic tool in hypertensive patients. This study reports the clinical characteristics of 31,530 patients included in the Spanish Registry of ABPM. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A total number of 767 investigators recruited patients with suspected or confirmed hypertension to whom an ABPM was indicated with a validated device and included them in the study. Mean blood pressures from daytime, nighttime, and the whole 24-hour period were all measured. Circadian patterns were defined depending on nocturnal systolic blood pressure fall: extreme dipper (> 20%), dipper (10%-20%), non-dipper (< 10%) and riser (nocturnal blood pressure increase). RESULTS: 24-hour, daytime, and nighttime blood pressure values were lower than those obtained at the office. Twenty percent of patients exhibited elevated office blood pressure with normal values on ABPM (<> hypertensives or false resistant) whereas 9% showed increased values on ABPM, but normal at the office (masked hypertension). The non-dipper or riser circadian patterns were present in more than half of the patients (40.2% and 13.4%, respectively) and were associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. CONCLUSIONS: Almost one third of hypertensive patients exhibit blood pressure values that are not concordant between office and ABPM. More than a half of patients, especially those at higher risk, present a circadian pattern with an inadequate nocturnal blood pressure fall.

[Cardiovascular risk profile of uncontrolled hypertensive patients. The Control-Project study]. / Perfil de riesgo cardiovascular de los pacientes con hipertensión arterial no controlada. Estudio Control-Project.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To assess absolute cardiovascular risk and co-morbidities in uncontrolled hypertensive patients (blood pressure [BP]>or=140/90 mmHg or>or=130/80 mmHg in diabetics) attending Primary Care Physicians in Spain, and to determine the attitudes of these physicians towards this problem. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Cross-sectional, multicenter study involving 356 general practitioners around Spain. Absolute cardiovascular risk was assessed according to ESH-ESC 2003 Guidelines in a sample of 1,710 patients. RESULTS: Two hundred ninety seven patients were excluded by several reasons and a total of 1,413 hypertensive patients were valuable (mean age: 65.3+/-11.4 years; 56.7% women). Normal BP values (<140/90 mmHg) were exhibited by 0.2%, high-normal BP (120-139/80-89 mmHg) were exhibited by 2.8%, grade 1 hypertension (140-159/90-99 mmHg) by 49.9%, grade 2 hypertension (160-179/100-109 mmHg) by 39.3%, and grade 3 hypertension (>or=180/110 mmHg) by 7.9%. Associated cardiovascular risk factors were observed in 96.0% of patients (95% CI=94.7-97.2%), target organ damage in 34.5% (95% CI=31.6-36.5%), and cardiovascular clinical disease in 36.0% (95% CI=33.5-38.5%). According to ESH-ESC 2003 Guidelines 34.0% (CI=31.5-38.2%) were at very-high risk; 29.4% (95% CI=26.4-32.8%) at high risk; 30.4% (95% CI=27.2-33.7%) at moderate risk and 5.4% (95% CI=3.9-7.2%) at low risk of cardiovascular disease. Despite the high absolute risk, physicians did not do any therapeutic change in 30.4% (95% CI=28.2-33.5%) of uncontrolled hypertensive patients. Most of them (64.26%) considered that bad compliance to life style changes was the reason for inadequate BP control. The most frequent measure introduced was the association of additional drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Absolute cardiovascular risk in uncontrolled hypertensive patients attending Primary Care Physicians in Spain is very relevant. Sixty-five percent of these patients are at high or very high risk with a high prevalence of target organ damage or associated cardiovascular clinical disease. Therapeutic attitudes towards these patients are still very conservative although they are improving compared with previous studies.

Clinical Perspective on Antihypertensive Drug Treatment in Adults With Grade 1 Hypertension and Low-to-Moderate Cardiovascular Risk: An International Expert Consultation.

Hypertension is a leading risk factor for disease burden globally. An unresolved question is whether grade 1 hypertension (140-159/90-99mmHg) with low (cardiovascular mortality <1% at 10 years) to moderate (cardiovascular mortality ≥1% and <5% at 10 years) absolute total cardiovascular risk (CVR) should be treated with antihypertensive agents. A virtual international consultation process was undertaken to summarize the opinions of select experts. After holistic analysis of all epidemiological, clinical, psychosocial, and public health elements, this consultation process reached the following consensus in hypertensive adults aged <80 years: (1) The question of whether drug treatment in grade 1 should be preceded by a period of some weeks or months during which only lifestyle measures are recommended cannot be evidence based, but the consensus opinion is to have a period of lifestyle alone reserved only to patients with grade 1 "isolated" hypertension (grade 1 uncomplicated hypertension with low absolute total CVR, and without other major CVR factors and risk modifiers). (2) The initiation of antihypertensive drug therapy in grade 1 hypertension with moderate absolute total CVR should not be delayed. (3) Men ≥55 years and women ≥60 years with uncomplicated grade 1 hypertension should automatically be classified within the moderate absolute total CVR category, even in the absence of other major CVR factors and risk modifiers. (4) Statins should be considered along with blood-pressure lowering therapy, irrespective of cholesterol levels, in patients with grade 1 hypertensive with moderate CVR.

[Circadian rhythm variability in arterial blood pressure]. / Variabilidad circadiana de la presión arterial.

Summary Chrono-biology consists of the scientific study of biological rhythms and their underlying mechanisms. This study is based on the certainty that for many physiological variables these exists a reproducible pattern in the time of maximum and minimum values. The study of circadian rhythm variations on biological parameters which affect numerous pathologies permits one to foresee rhythmical cycles and to synchronize pharmacological rules to make it possible to obtain improvements in patients' responses. Knowing the circadian rhythm in hypertensive patients brings data related to the prognosis and is a basic tool to introduce the concept of a chronological administration of medicines in providing antihypertensive treatment; this is chronotherapy.

Lercanidipine valuable effect on urine protein losses: the RED LEVEL study.

OBJECTIVE: The RED LEVEL study (REnal Disease: LErcanidipine Valuable Effect on urine protein Losses) directly compares, in an explorative fashion, the effects of lercanidipine + enalapril and amlodipine + enalapril combinations on renal parameters in hypertensive subjects. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This was a 1 year, prospective, multi-center, randomized, open-label, blinded-endpoint (PROBE) study in hypertensive patients with albuminuria. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Renal function (albuminuria, serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, estimated glomerular filtration rate and proteinuria); blood pressure. RESULTS: Albuminuria was significantly reduced, compared with baseline values, with the lercanidipine + enalapril combination over the entire study period; at month 3, month 6 and month 12, changes from baseline were: -162.5 (p-value = 0.0439), -425.8 (p-value = 0.0010), -329.0 (p-value = 0.0011) mg/24 h), respectively. On the other hand, this improvement was not observed with enalapril + amlodipine. Other parameters of renal function such as serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, estimated glomerular filtration rate and proteinuria did not change over the study. Both lercanidipine + enalapril and amlodipine + enalapril significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure values from baseline all over the study period with no significant differences between groups. Safety outcomes were comparable between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the results of this explorative study lend support to the anti-albuminuric effect of the lercanidipine + enalapril combination and to the long term renal-protective effects of this combination in patients with hypertension.

Silent cerebral white matter lesions and cognitive function in middle-aged essential hypertensive patients.

BACKGROUND: An association between midlife blood pressure levels and late-life cognitive impairment has been reported. Hypertension is one of the most important factors related to the presence of cerebral white matter lesions, which is a prognostic factor for the development of cognitive impairment. Studies have shown a relationship between white matter lesions and cognitive decline in elderly hypertensive patients. The aim of the present study was to evaluate cognitive function in asymptomatic middle-aged hypertensive patients according to the presence or absence of white matter lesions. METHODS: Sixty never-treated essential hypertensive patients (38 men, 22 women), aged 50 to 60 years (mean age, 54.4 +/- 3.8 years), without clinical evidence of target organ damage, were studied. All patients underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging to establish the presence or absence of white matter lesions, using the Rotterdam criteria. Cognitive function was evaluated by a neuropsychologic test battery measuring attention, memory, intelligence, anxiety, and depression. RESULTS: Twenty-three hypertensive patients (38%) were found to have white matter lesions on brain resonance. These patients exhibited a significantly worse performance on digit span forward, a standardized measure of attention than hypertensives without white matter lesions (4.86 +/- 1.14 v 5.51 +/- 0.97; P =.027). Hypertensive patients with white matter lesions showed no differences on both visual and logical memory tests when compared with patients without lesions. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the presence of silent cerebral white matter lesions in middle-aged hypertensive patients is associated with a mild decline in basic attention.

Once-daily fixed-combination irbesartan 300 mg/ hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg and circadian blood pressure profile in patients with essential hypertension.

BACKGROUND: More than 60% of patients with hypertension included in morbidity and mortality trials needed >or=2 drugs to achieve a substantial, sustained reduction in blood pressure. Tolerable combinations using higher doses of antihypertensive drugs are frequently required to control blood pressure. OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to assess the effect of a once-daily fixed combination of irbesartan 300 mg/hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 25 mg on the circadian blood pressure profile in patients with essential hypertension that was not controlled with full-dose single therapy or low-dose combined therapy. METHODS: Study patients were recruited consecutively from the outpatient hypertension clinics of 3 university hospitals in Spain. After a 1-week washout period, patients with a mean daytime blood pressure >135/85 mm Hg were treated with irbesartan 300 mg/HCTZ 25 mg once daily for 12 weeks. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was performed at the end of the washout period and during the last week of treatment. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients with essential hypertension (28 men, 29 women) were enrolled; their mean (SD) age was 60.4 (7.2) years (range, 45-78 years). After treatment, a significant reduction in both clinic and ambulatory mean (SD) blood pressure values was observed in the whole group of 57 patients (from 146.0 [11.0] mm Hg to 123.3 [13.3] mm Hg, P < 0.001 for 24-hour systolic blood pressure [SBP]; from 89.9 [8.2] mm Hg to 76.5 [9.4] mm Hg, P < 0.001 for 24-hour diastolic blood pressure [DBP]. The mean lowering of ambulatory SBP and DBP at peak was 25.2 (14.5) mm Hg and 14.7 (9.5) mm Hg, respectively, and at trough, 22.3 (18.3) mm Hg and 12.3 (10.9) mm Hg. The trough-to-peak ratio of the group was 0.92 for SBP (0.97 in responders) and 0.84 for DBP (0.89 in responders). The smoothness index, calculated as the mean of all individual values, was 1.7 (1.0) for SBP (1.8 [0.9] in responders) and 1.3 (0.8) for DBP (1.5 [0.6] in responders). Seven side effects in 6 patients were reported. No metabolic changes were observed, and no patient discontinued the study because of treatment-related adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: The fixed combination of irbesartan 300 mg/HCTZ 25 administered once daily produced a crude meaningful effect in reducing 24-hour blood pressure and was well tolerated. The circadian profile was preserved, as shown by trough-to-peak ratios and smoothness index values for both SBP and DBP.

[Use of antihypertensive drug therapy and risk of development of congestive heart failure]. / Utilización de fármacos antihipertensivos y desarrollo de insuficiencia cardíaca.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: It has been suggested that the use of some antihypertensive agents may favour the development of congestive heart failure. The aim of the present study was to evaluate such a possible association in patients who had a new diagnosis of congestive heart failure. PATIENTS AND METHOD: This was a retrospective case-control study of 81 patients who had a first hospital admission with a new diagnosis of congestive heart failure (cases) and 162 patients admitted for other hypertensive complications (controls). Previous antihypertensive drug use was registered and the possible association with congestive heart failure was evaluated. RESULTS: The presence of congestive heart failure was not associated with the use of any antihypertensive drug class. When treatments were grouped in classic (diuretics and betablockers) or modern (calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors, alphablockers or angiotensin receptor blockers), a negative association was observed with the latter group, which was observed in 48.1% of cases and 63.6% of controls (odds ratio: 0.532; 95% confidence interval, 0.310-0.913). This association was lost after adjustment for other cardiovascular risk factors or previous hypertensive complications. CONCLUSIONS: The development of congestive heart failure was not associated with the use of any specific antihypertensive drug class. From the present evidence, it is not possible to recommend a specific antihypertensive agent in patients at risk of developing congestive heart failure but without evidence of such disease.

Prevalence of masked hypertension and associated factors in normotensive healthcare workers.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Evidence on the elevated cardiovascular risk associated with masked hypertension (MHT) is becoming stronger. Determining the prevalence of MHT in apparently healthy individuals may enable better risk stratification and management. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of normotensive healthcare workers recruited from 52 hypertension units. We included individuals aged at least 18 years with no known history of hypertension and office blood pressure (BP) less than 140/90 mmHg. MHT was defined as mean daytime ambulatory BP of at least 135/85 mmHg. RESULTS: Overall, 485 individuals (mean age 43.1 years, 55% women) were included. The prevalence of MHT was 23.9% [95% confidence interval (CI): 20.1-27.7]. The most prevalent associated cardiovascular risk factors in the total population were smoking (24.9%), dyslipidemia (16.4%), a family history of premature cardiovascular disease (15.9%), and obesity (7.4%). A total of 45.4% of individuals had a family history of hypertension. MHT was associated with male sex [odds ratio (OR) 1.722, 95% CI: 1.091-2.718] and prehypertension (OR 4.561, 95% CI: 2.880-7.222). In univariate analysis, the OR of the diagnosis of MHT increased by 2.3% per year of age. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of MHT in normotensive healthcare workers in Spain is almost 25%. Therefore, 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring should be routine in occupational health checks in health workers, especially men.

Perspectiva clínica sobre el tratamiento antihipertensivo en adultos con hipertensión grado 1 y riesgo cardiovascular bajo a moderado: consulta internacional de expertos

[RESUMEN]. La hipertensión arterial es el principal factor de riesgo de la carga global de las enfermedades. Una pregunta en debate es si la hipertensión arterial grado 1 (140–159/90–99 mm Hg) con riesgo cardiovascular (RCV) total bajo (mortalidad cardiovascular < 1% a los 10 años) a moderado (mortalidad cardiovascular > 1% y < 5% a los 10 años) debe ser tratada con agentes antihipertensivos. Un proceso de consulta virtual internacional fue realizado para resumir las opiniones de los expertos seleccionados. Después del análisis holístico de todos los elementos epidemiológicos, clínicos, psicosociales y de salud pública, este proceso de consulta llegó al siguiente consenso para adultos hipertensos < 80 años de edad: 1) La interrogante, de si el tratamiento medicamentoso en la hipertensión grado 1 debe ser precedido por un periodo de algunas semanas o meses, durante el cual solo se recomienden medidas sobre el estilo de vida no está basada en evidencia, pero el consenso de opinión es reservar un periodo para solo cambios en el estilo de vida únicamente en los pacientes con hipertensión grado 1 “aislada” (hipertensión grado 1 no complicada con RCV total absoluto bajo, y sin otros factores de RCV mayores ni modificadores del riesgo). 2) El inicio del tratamiento antihipertensivo medicamentoso en pacientes con hipertensión grado 1 y RCV absoluto moderado no debe demorarse. 3) Los hombres ≥ 55 años y las mujeres ≥ 60 años con hipertensión grado 1 no complicada deben ser automáticamente clasificados dentro de la categoría de RCV total absoluto moderado, incluso en ausencia de otros factores de riesgo mayores y modificadores del riesgo. 4) Las estatinas deben tenerse en cuenta junto con la terapia antihipertensiva, independientemente de los valores de colesterol, en pacientes con hipertensión grado 1 y RCV moderado.

[ABSTRACT]. Hypertension is a leading risk factor for disease burden globally. An unresolved question is whether grade 1 hypertension (140-159/90-99 mmHg) with low (cardiovascular mortality < 1% at 10 years) to moderate (cardiovascular mortality > 1% and < 5% at 10 years) absolute total cardiovascular risk (CVR) should be treated with antihypertensive agents. A virtual international consultation process was undertaken to summarize the opinions of select experts. After holistic analysis of all epidemiological, clinical, psychosocial, and public health elements, this consultation process reached the following consensus in hypertensive adults aged < 80 years: (1) The question of whether drug treatment in grade 1 should be preceded by a period of some weeks or months during which only life style measures are recommended cannot be evidence based, but the consensus opinion is to have a period of lifestyle alone reserved only to patients with grade 1 “isolated” hypertension (grade 1 uncomplicated hypertension with low absolute total CVR, and without other major CVR factors and risk modifiers). (2)The initiation of antihypertensive drug therapy in grade 1 hypertension with moderate absolute total CVR should not be delayed. (3) Men ≥ 55 years and women ≥ 60 years with uncomplicated grade1 hypertension should automatically be classified within the moderate absolute total CVR category, even in the absence of other major CVR factors and risk modifiers. (4) Statins should be considered along with blood-pressure lowering therapy, irrespective of cholesterol levels, in patients with grade 1 hypertensive with moderate CVR.

[Prevalence of masked hypertension in a cohort of controlled hypertensive patients in Spain]. / Prevalencia de hipertensión arterial enmascarada en una cohorte de pacientes hipertensos controlados en España.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: In recent years the evidence that masked hypertension is associated with a highest cardiovascular risk is well established. Knowing the prevalence of masked hypertension in our country will allow a better cardiovascular risk stratification and management of hypertensive patients, although the information is scant and heterogeneous. For this reason, the working group for the study of masked hypertension (ESTHEN) in Spain developed the present study with the objective to know the prevalence of masked hypertension in a cohort of hypertensive patients follows in several Hypertension Units in Spain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective study of a cohort of hypertensive patients followed in 75 Hypertension Units in Spain. Eligible patients were hypertensive cases aged ≥ 18 years receiving antihypertensive drug treatment and showing an adequate BP control at the clinic (BP < 140/90 mmHg). Masked hypertension was defined when mean daytime BP ≥ 135/85 mmHg. RESULTS: We analyzed data from 302 patients. Mean age was 56.2 years and 56% were male. Prevalence of masked hypertension was 48% (95%CI 42-53). The most prevalent accompanying risk factors were abdominal obesity (39.7%), smoking (24.2%), family with premature cardiovascular disease (22.5%), and diabetes (11.6%). Prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy was 23.8%, and 22.2% of patients had established cardiovascular disease, and 6.3% had renal disease. Masked hypertension was related to the absence of established cardiovascular disease (OR 0.306, 95%CI 0.139-0.676) and to the proximity of the clinic BP levels to the control thresholds (0.901, 95%CI 0.842-0.963). The OR of masked hypertension diminished 10% for each mmHg below the threshold of control. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of masked hypertension was approximately 50% in treated hypertensive patients. ABPM constitutes a basic tool for detection of this abnormality.

Manidipine treatment in patients with albuminuria not sufficiently reduced with renin-angiotensin system blockers.

Microalbuminuria is an issue of great concern in hypertensive patients owing to its close relation with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Treatment should aim to reduce microalbuminuria to the normal range. Drugs that block the renin-angiotensin system have specific antiproteinuric properties, but more than one drug is needed to achieve blood pressure control in most cases. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of adding manidipine to the treatment of patients with essential hypertension and persistent albuminuria, despite full-dose treatment with a renin-angiotensin system blocker on urinary albumin excretion (UAE) after 24 weeks of therapy. Patients with diabetes and renal insufficiency were excluded. At baseline, blood pressure and UAE were 155.1 +/- 12/87.76 +/- 11 mmHg and 293.19 +/- 285 mg/g, respectively. At study end, blood pressure was 137.1 +/- 13.1/77.24 +/- 10.4 mmHg (p < 0.001 vs baseline). UAE was reduced by 45% to 161.52 +/- 163 mg/g (p < 0.001 vs baseline). No correlations were found between systolic blood pressure reduction and UAE reduction (Pearson's R = -0.034; p = not significant) nor between estimated glomerular filtration rate and UAE reduction (Pearson's R = -0.0056; p = not significant). No patient withdrew from the study owing to side effects. In conclusion, treatment with manidipine resulted in a large reduction in UAE rates, and this reduction appeared to be independent of the degree of blood pressure reduction or changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate. Our data supports the added value of manidipine in the treatment of patients with hypertension and microalbuminuria.