Quinapril for treatment of hypertension in Turkey: dose titration and diuretic combination treatment strategies.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Recently the PatenT (Prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in Turkey) study showed that while the prevalence of hypertension in Turkey is high, effective control of BP is infrequently achieved. This study investigated the efficacy and safety of quinapril (as monotherapy or in combination with hydrochlorothiazide [HCTZ]) for achieving BP control (target <140/90 mm Hg) in Turkish subjects with mild to moderate hypertension.

METHODS

Two-hundred male and female outpatients aged 19-65 years with mild to moderate hypertension (stage I or II, Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure 7 guidelines) entered this 12-week, open-label study. All subjects received quinapril 20 mg/day for 6 weeks. If BP targets were achieved at week 6, responders were maintained on 20 mg/day; if BP targets were not achieved, non-responders were randomised to quinapril 40 mg/day or quinapril 20 mg/day + HCTZ 12.5 mg/day for the remainder of the study.

RESULTS

After 6 weeks, 63% of subjects achieved BP targets, and 82% of week-6 responders who continued on quinapril 20 mg/day maintained BP targets at week 12. Of the non-responders, 50% and 52% randomised to quinapril 40 mg/day or quinapril 20 mg/day + HCTZ 12.5 mg/day, respectively, went on to achieve BP targets by week 12. Safety was not compromised with increased dosages or use of combination therapy.

CONCLUSION

Quinapril was an effective and safe treatment for achieving and maintaining recommended BP targets in this sample population. These findings will provide clinicians in Turkey with valuable data on the use of quinapril for effective control and management of hypertension.