Aliskiren as Add-On Therapy in the Treatment of Hypertensive Diabetic Patients Inadequately Controlled with Valsartan/HCT Combination: A Placebo-Controlled Study.

Background: Hypertension frequently coexists with diabetes mellitus, resulting in increased cardiovascular risk. Thus, BP control is crucial in decreasing morbidity and mortality in this difficult-to-treat patient population. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of aliskiren in hypertensive patients with diabetes not adequately responsive to the combination of valsartan and hydrochlorothiazide (HCT). Methods: After a 1- to 4-week washout period, patients with a mean sitting diastolic BP (msDBP) ≥95mmHg were treated with valsartan 160mg for 2 weeks followed by valsartan/HCT 160mg/25mg for an additional 4 weeks (single-blind active run-in period). Patients whose msDBP remained ≥85mmHg after the active runin period were randomized (1 : 1) to receive aliskiren 150mg (n = 184) or placebo (n = 179) as add-on therapy for 6 weeks. Aliskiren was then force-titrated to 300mg once daily for another 6 weeks. Efficacy variables were: the change in msDBP and mean sitting systolic BP (msSBP) from baseline to week 12 endpoint, diastolic response (msDBP <80mmHg or reduction of at least 10mmHg), and BP control rate (<130/80mmHg). Results: Of the 363 patients randomized, 328 (90.4%) completed the study (aliskiren and placebo groups: 89.7%and 91.1%, respectively).At week 12 endpoint, the least squares mean (LSM) changes in msDBP (aliskiren vs placebo: -5.8 vs -4.8mmHg; p = 0.2767) and msSBP (aliskiren vs placebo: -7.3 vs -4.8mmHg; p = 0.0725) were numerically greater in patients treated with aliskiren compared with those treated with placebo; however, this difference was not statistically significant. The proportion of diastolic responders (aliskiren and placebo: 68.5% and 72.9%, respectively; p = 0.8482) and patients achieving BP control (aliskiren and placebo: 16.0% and 16.4%, respectively; p = 0.7511) were similar for both groups. Overall, 63 (34%) and 59 (33%) patients in the aliskiren and placebo groups, respectively, experienced adverse events (AEs). The most commonly reported AEs were headache (placebo group: 6.1%) and dizziness (aliskiren group: 4.4%). Aliskiren was well tolerated. Conclusion: The reductions in BP with aliskiren added to valsartan/HCT in this study were numerically greater compared with placebo added to valsartan/HCT, although not statistically significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]