Katarina Hatalova1,2, Daniel Pella3,4, Rastislav Sidlo5, Robert Hatala6. 1. P.J. Safarik University School of Medicine, Kosice, Slovakia. hatalova@cardioconsult.sk. 2. Cardioconsult-Cardiology Clinics, Cajkovskeho 5, 81104, Bratislava, Slovakia. hatalova@cardioconsult.sk. 3. P.J. Safarik University School of Medicine, Kosice, Slovakia. 4. First Department of Internal Medicine, Louis Pasteur Hospital, Kosice, Slovakia. 5. Department of Statistics, Faculty of Economic Informatics, Economic University, Bratislava, Slovakia. 6. National Cardiovascular Institute and Slovak Medical University, Bratislava, Slovakia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although single-pill, fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) are widely endorsed for the reduction of blood pressure and cardiovascular risk, studies to date have not evaluated the differences between FDCs and free associations using matched drugs and doses. The objective of this study was to determine whether switching from a free association of perindopril/amlodipine to the FDC formulation led to significant improvements in efficacy and tolerability. METHODS: In this subanalysis of the previously published SYMBIO study, we looked at the effect of switching patients from a free association of perindopril/amlodipine to an equivalent dose of FDC (N = 335). In the SYMBIO study, concomitant antihypertensive medications were allowed; however, they remained unchanged till the end of the study. Blood pressure was measured at baseline, 1, and 3 months. Targets were defined as blood pressure <140/90 mmHg or <130/80 mmHg for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus or at high cardiovascular risk. RESULTS: Compared to baseline, mean blood pressure decreased significantly after 1 and 3 months of treatment with FDC perindopril/amlodipine. Mean changes from baseline were -15.6 ± 14.3/-7.7 ± 9.1 mmHg at 1 month (p < 0.0001) and -23.3 ± 16.4/-11.3 ± 9.8 mmHg at 3 months (p < 0.0001). The percentage of patients who reached their blood pressure target increased from 16.0 % at baseline to 50.6 % at 1 month, to 75.9 % at 3 months. The incidence of ankle edema decreased from 14.9 % at baseline, to 9.9 % at 1 month, to 5.4 % at 3 months. The relative risk reduction for ankle edema was -37.5 % at 1 month (vs. baseline; p < 0.001) and -57.2 % at 3 months (vs. baseline; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that switching from a free association of perindopril/amlodipine to the same dose of the FDC formulation led to significant improvements in efficacy and tolerability.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although single-pill, fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) are widely endorsed for the reduction of blood pressure and cardiovascular risk, studies to date have not evaluated the differences between FDCs and free associations using matched drugs and doses. The objective of this study was to determine whether switching from a free association of perindopril/amlodipine to the FDC formulation led to significant improvements in efficacy and tolerability. METHODS: In this subanalysis of the previously published SYMBIO study, we looked at the effect of switching patients from a free association of perindopril/amlodipine to an equivalent dose of FDC (N = 335). In the SYMBIO study, concomitant antihypertensive medications were allowed; however, they remained unchanged till the end of the study. Blood pressure was measured at baseline, 1, and 3 months. Targets were defined as blood pressure <140/90 mmHg or <130/80 mmHg for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus or at high cardiovascular risk. RESULTS: Compared to baseline, mean blood pressure decreased significantly after 1 and 3 months of treatment with FDCperindopril/amlodipine. Mean changes from baseline were -15.6 ± 14.3/-7.7 ± 9.1 mmHg at 1 month (p < 0.0001) and -23.3 ± 16.4/-11.3 ± 9.8 mmHg at 3 months (p < 0.0001). The percentage of patients who reached their blood pressure target increased from 16.0 % at baseline to 50.6 % at 1 month, to 75.9 % at 3 months. The incidence of ankle edema decreased from 14.9 % at baseline, to 9.9 % at 1 month, to 5.4 % at 3 months. The relative risk reduction for ankle edema was -37.5 % at 1 month (vs. baseline; p < 0.001) and -57.2 % at 3 months (vs. baseline; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that switching from a free association of perindopril/amlodipine to the same dose of the FDC formulation led to significant improvements in efficacy and tolerability.