Efficacy of manidipine/delapril versus losartan/hydrochlorothiazide fixed combinations in patients with hypertension and diabetes

BACKGROUND: Hypertension markedly increases the already high risk for cardiovascular complications in patients with diabetes mellitus. Less than one in eight patients with hypertension and type 2 diabetes have adequately controlled blood pressure. As a result, antihypertensive combinations are now widely used in management of hypertension associated with diabetes. METHODS: This double-blind study investigated efficacy of a new fixed dose combination of a calcium antagonist, manidipine 10 mg, and an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, delapril 30 mg, compared with a combination of an angiotensin receptor blocker, losartan 50 mg, and a diuretic, hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg. Patients with hypertension (blood pressure > or = 130/80 mmHg) with controlled type 2 diabetes (HbA1c < or = 7.5%) were randomized to manidipine/delapril (n = 153) or losartan/hydrochlorothiazide (n = 161), administered once daily for 12 weeks. Patients underwent ambulatory blood pressure monitor evaluation at baseline and end of treatment. RESULTS: Mean decreases in 24-h systolic blood pressure were seen with both manidipine/delapril (-9.3 mmHg) and losartan/hydrochlorothiazide (-10.7 mmHg) combinations. The mean (95% confidence interval) treatment difference was -1.4 (-4.5/1.8) mmHg, demonstrating noninferiority of the manidipine/delapril combination. Reduction in 24-h diastolic blood pressure (-4.6 versus -4.5 mmHg) and daytime (systolic blood pressure -10.5 versus -11.1 mmHg) and night-time (systolic blood pressure -7.1 versus -9.3 mmHg) blood pressure were also not significantly different between treatments. Compliance and adverse events were comparable for both groups. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that the combination of manidipine and delapril is as effective as losartan and hydrochlorothiazide in treatment of hypertension in type 2 diabetes.