Should thiazide diuretics be given as first line antihypertensive therapy or in addition to other medications?

Abstract

Introduction: The recommendation to start antihypertensive therapy with diuretics (D) might produce delay in blood pressure (BP) control and, possibly, increase cost/benefit ratio.

Aim: We evaluate the effects of D in relation to the administration of other anti-hypertensive medications, in clinical practice.

Methods: General practitioners recruited 2,409 hypertensive patients with indication to antihypertensive therapy, who were randomized to start treatment with chlorthalidone (12.5-25 mg daily, group D) or any other single medications (excluding thiazides, group A). The patients have been followed for at least 2 years.

Result: Among the 2,409 patients recruited (42.5 % women), 1,205 were randomized in group D and 1,204 in group A, of which 1,051 (or 87 %) and 1026 (or 85 %) respectively, completed the study. The number of patients in optimal BP control was similar in the two groups (65.0 vs 64.0 %; p = NS). During follow-up, the group D had prescribed a slightly greater number of medications compared to the group A who added D as second line (2.3 vs 2.1; p < 0.0001). In particular group D took more β-blockers (27.1 vs 14.9 %; p < 0.0001) with a similar number of patients in optimal BP control (64.35 vs 63.9 %; p = NS).

Conclusion: The beginning of antihypertensive therapy with diuretics is more often subject to the addition of one or more medications to obtain an effective blood pressure control, since the diuretic administered at the beginning of the antihypertensive regimen is only rarely associated with optimal blood pressure control.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00408512.