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Adherence to Treatment, Arterial Stiffness and Cognitive Function in Irbesartan- Treated Newly Diagnosed Hypertensive

Rigas G Kalaitzidis1, Olga Balafa1, Evangelia Dounousi1

  • 1Hypertension Excellence Centre, Division of Nephrology, University Hospital of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.

Current Vascular Pharmacology
|November 23, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) improved arterial stiffness and cognitive function in hypertensive patients. This study highlights ARBs

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Neuroscience
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Non-adherence to antihypertensive medications compromises blood pressure (BP) control.
  • Limited data exist on the relationship between adherence to antihypertensive agents and arterial stiffness (AS).
  • The causal link between arterial stiffness and cognitive dysfunction (CO/DY) remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of irbesartan monotherapy on arterial stiffness, cognitive function, and BP in hypertensive patients.
  • To assess the adherence rates to irbesartan monotherapy.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective follow-up of 77 hypertensive patients on irbesartan monotherapy for 16.1±10.9 months.
  • Assessment of cognitive function using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and other tests.
  • Measurement of peripheral and central blood pressure, arterial stiffness indices (pulse wave velocity, augmentation index), and 24-hour urine albumin excretion.

Main Results:

  • Significant reductions in peripheral and central systolic and diastolic BP were observed.
  • Significant improvements in arterial stiffness indices, including carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and augmentation index.
  • Significant improvement in MMSE scores and a reduction in 24-hour urine albumin excretion were noted.

Conclusions:

  • Monotherapy with an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), irbesartan, effectively reduces arterial stiffness and improves cognitive function in hypertensive patients.
  • The study demonstrates significant reductions in BP and urinary albumin excretion.
  • High adherence rates were observed, suggesting ARBs may be well-tolerated.
Abstract

Keywords:
Hypertensionadherence to treatmentangiotensin II receptor antagonists.arterial stiffnesscognitive function

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