Results
Initial results from the trial showed that all three treatments lowered systolic and diastolic BP substantially. However, initiating antihypertensive treatment with the combination of nifedipine GITS/telmisartan allowed BP control to be achieved earlier than initial monotherapy followed by addition of a second drug.
At 8 weeks, reduction in 24h BP – a better measure of CV risk than office BP – was significantly greater in the combination therapy group as compared to either monotherapy group (Figure 1). This initial reduction lasted throughout the 24-week follow-up, by which point both monotherapies had attained the same level of BP lowering. BP reduction with the combination of nifedipine GITS/telmisartan was consistent throughout the 24h period.
At 8 weeks, reduction in 24h BP – a better measure of CV risk than office BP – was significantly greater in the combination therapy group as compared to either monotherapy group (Figure 1). This initial reduction lasted throughout the 24-week follow-up, by which point both monotherapies had attained the same level of BP lowering. BP reduction with the combination of nifedipine GITS/telmisartan was consistent throughout the 24h period.
Figure 1. 24h systolic and diastolic BP from baseline to 24 weeks. The dotted line highlights the significant difference in SBP and DBP with combination therapy vs. either monotherapy at 8 weeks.
With combination therapy, systolic and diastolic BP were reduced as early as 2 weeks and was maintained throughout the study, as measured by office BP (Figure 2).
Figure 2. Office systolic and diastolic BP at baseline, 2 and 24 weeks
Thus, the combination of nifedipine GITS/telmisartan was superior to either monotherapy for early BP control, while long-term BP control did not differ substantially among treatments.
