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Deterioration of glucose tolerance in hypertensive patients on prolonged diuretic treatment
Insights
Long-term use of oral diuretics in hypertensive patients may lead to impaired glucose tolerance. This study suggests thiazide diuretics can be diabetogenic with prolonged use.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Hypertension is a prevalent condition often managed with oral diuretics.
- The long-term effects of diuretic therapy on glucose metabolism require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of prolonged oral diuretic treatment on glucose tolerance in hypertensive patients.
- To determine if thiazide diuretics have a diabetogenic effect over time.
Main Methods:
- Glucose tolerance was evaluated in 51 hypertensive patients before and after 1 and 6 years of oral diuretic treatment.
- A control group of 16 patients received diuretic therapy for only 3 of the 6 years for comparison.
Main Results:
- Glucose tolerance remained stable after 1 year of diuretic therapy.
- A significant deterioration in glucose tolerance was observed after 6 years of continuous oral diuretic treatment.
- No significant change in glucose tolerance was noted in the group receiving diuretics for only 3 years.
Conclusions:
- Prolonged treatment with oral thiazide diuretics may negatively impact glucose tolerance.
- Extended diuretic therapy in hypertensive individuals could increase the risk of developing diabetes.
Abstract:
Glucose tolerance was investigated in 51 hypertensive patients before and after 1 and 6 years of treatment with oral diuretics. Glucose tolerance was unchanged after 1 year but had deteriorated significantly after 6 years' therapy. In a comparable group of 16 patients tested at similar intervals in which diuretic therapy had been given only for 3 of the 6 years there was no change in glucose tolerance, suggesting that prolonged oral treatment with thiazide diuretics is diabetogenic.