Anti-Albuminuric Effects of the Angiotensin AT1 Receptor Blocker Telmisartan in Hypertensive Patients

Abstract

We evaluated the anti-hypertensive and anti-albuminuric effect of the angiotensin receptor blocker telmisartan alone and in combination with torasemide and amlodipine. Patients were hypertensive, both diabetics and non-diabetics with persistent microalbuminuria. Our primary endpoint was a change in microalbuminuria levels, while the secondary endpoints were changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), serum creatinine levels, and glomerular filtration rate. After the 16-week treatment period, the patients significantly reduced microalbuminuria levels (76.4 +/- 52.4 mu g/min; p < 0.001), SBP (16.4 +/- 8.7 mmHg; p < 0.001) and DBP (17.7 +/- 5.9 mmHg; p < 0.001). Both diabetics and non-diabetics showed an identical pattern of significance with respect to the whole population. Systolic blood pressure, DBP, and microalbuminuria were significantly reduced as a consequence of therapy, both in diabetics and non-diabetics.