Initial combination therapy for hypertension in patients of African ancestry: a systematic review and meta-analysis

We systematically reviewed randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that consider the effect of initial dual antihypertensive combination treatment on blood pressure (BP), morbidity, or mortality in hypertensive African ancestry adults, using the methodology of the Cochrane Collaboration. Main outcomes were difference in means (continuous data) and risk ratio (dichotomous data). We retrieved 1728 reports yielding 13 RCTs of 4 weeks to 3 years duration (median 8 weeks) in 3843 patients. Systolic BP was significantly higher on beta-adrenergic blocker vs. other combinations, 3.80 [0.82;6.78] mmHg, but comparable for other combinations. Hypokalemia and hyperglycemia occurred with calcium channel blocker (CCB) + diuretics > diuretics + angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI)/angiotensin-II-type-1-receptor antagonist (ARB) > CCB + ACEI/ARB. An RCT including high-risk patients reported combined morbidity/mortality for hydrochlorothiazide (mg) 25 + benazepril 40 vs. amlodipine 10 + benazepril 40 of respectively 8.9% vs. 6.6% (n = 1414, risk ratio 1.35 [0.94;1.94]; all patients, N = 11 506, 1.23 [1.11;1.37]). We conclude that limited evidence supports CCB + ACEI rather than HCT + ACEI as first-line initial combination therapy in African ancestry patients with hypertension.

Automated summary

This study systematically reviewed randomized controlled trials on the effect of initial dual antihypertensive combination treatment in hypertensive African ancestry adults. The findings suggest that CCB + ACEI is more suitable than HCT + ACEI as the first-line initial combination therapy.