Effect of candesartan cilexetil on carotid intima-media thickness in hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients. MITEC study: design and baseline characteristics

Media Intima Thickness Evaluation of Candesartan (MITEC), a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, parallel-group study assessed the effect of candesartan cilexetil (CC) versus amlodipine (AML) administered during three years, on carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients. The study design, the baseline characteristics, and the determinants of carotid IMT are presented. After a placebo run-in period of four weeks, patients were randomised to CC (n=100) or AML (n=109). The mean blood pressure values were 155.9±11.0 mmHg, 91.3± 8.0 mmHg and 64.6±11.8 mmHg for systolic, diastolic and pulse pressure respectively, and the mean HbA 1 C was 7.1±1.3%. The mean common carotid IMT was 0.74±0.16 mm. The univariate regression analyses showed a significant correlation between IMT and age (p<0.0001), gender (p=0.013) and creatinine clearance (p=0.03). Only age was significantly correlated with carotid IMT (p<0.0001) in the multivariate analysis. In conclusion, the MITEC population has good metabolic control at baseline where carotid IMT is mainly related with age.