RESEARCH ARTICLE


Antihypertensive Treatment and Kidney Function in Routine Practice in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: The Results of the Prospective "The Scythian" Trial in Ukraine



Dmitri D Ivanov*, 1, Boris N Mankovsky 2
1 Dept. of Nephrology and Renal Replacement Therapy
2 Dept. of Diabetology, National Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education named by P.L. Schupik, Kiev, Ukraine


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Creative Commons License
© Ivanov and Mankovsky; Licensee Bentham Open.

open-access license: This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.

* Address correspondence to this author at the Dept. of Nephrology and Renal Replacement Therapy, National Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education named by P.L. Schupik, Kiev, Ukraine; Tel: +380504448788; Fax: +380442846897; E-mail: ivanovdd@i.kiev.ua


Abstract

Background :

Hypertension, albuminuria and decreased GFR are regarded as independent risk factors that reflect progression of the diabetic kidney disease (DKD). We carried out second phase of prospective study which aim was to learn the possibility of implementation of intensive antihypertensive therapy into the routine clinical practice and assessment of such treatment influence on kidney function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods :

In the study 637 patients were included with DKD and arterial hypertension with BP level more than 130/80 mmHg and less than 1800 mmHg, having chronic kidneys disease (CKD) 1-4. As a basis for intensive antihypertensive treatment fixed combination of perindopril 5 mg and indapamide 1.25 mg were prescribed. If needed, after 4 weeks the dosage was increased up to perindopril 10 mg/ indapamide 2.5 mg to achieve targeted BP less that 130/80 mmHg. If targeted BP had not been achieved other antihypertensive preparations were added.

Results :

After 4 weeks of treatment average levels of systolic and diastolic BP were 141.3±0.5 and 86.3±0.3, after 8 weeks of therapy – 131.6±0.4 and 81.3±0.3 mmHg, and after 12 weeks of treatment –127.2±0.3 and 78.7±0.2 mmHg respectively. Target BP was achieved in 489 patients (73.3%) during 12 weeks of treatment. Statistically significant increase of GFR as a result of 12 weeks of antihypertensive therapy with fixed perindopril/indapamide combination was found to be between 84.3±1.1 and 94.7±1.1 ml/min./1,73m2, р<0.01.

Conclusion :

Antihypertensive therapy with fixed combination of perindopril 5-10 mg/indapamide 1.25-2.5 mg introduced into routine clinical practice of T2DM patients’ treatment, is effective for BP reduction, achievement of its targeted values and resulted in statistically significant trend to kidney function improvement.

Keywords: Combined antihypertensive therapy, Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), glomerular filtration rate (GFR), hypertension, microalbuminuria..



INTRODUCTION

Kidneys impairment is one of the most serious manifestations of diabetic microangiopathies [1]. Hypertension, albuminuria and decreased GFR are regarded as independent risk factors that reflect progression of the diabetic kidney disease (DKD) [2]. According to KDOQI Clinical Practice Guidelines and Clinical Practice Recommendations for Diabetes and Chronic Kidney Disease, most people with diabetes and CKD have hypertension and treatment of hypertension slows the progression of CKD [3]. According to 2012 ADA recommendations [4], to reduce the risk or slow the progression of nephropathy, patients need to optimize their glucosecontrol (A) and BP control (A) with an ACE-inhibitors (ACEI) or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB), usually in combination with a diuretics.

To determine epidemiologic prevalence of clinical-laboratory manifestations of DKD, diagnosed by KDOQI criteria [3], in patients with T2DM and to assess antihypertensive treatment efficacy in Ukraine with national population above 46 million, open label, prospective randomize cross-sectional trial "The Scythian" was carried out. The study design had 2 stages. The first one (2008-2009) investigated epidemiologic prevalence and severity of renal damage in T2DM patients (Fig. 1). The second stage (2010-2011) studied the efficacy of ACEI+ potential for treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

Fig. (1).

Stages of “The Scythian” trial.


Fig. (2).

Algorithm of antihypertensive treatment during 2nd stage of “The Scythian” trial.


Fig. (3).

Dynamics of systolic BP in patients with T2DM treated with fixed combination of perindopril/indapamide .


Fig. (4).

Dynamics of diastolic BP in patients with T2DM treated with fixed combination of perindopril/indapamide.


Fig. (5).

Effect of antihypertensive therapy with fixed combination of perindopril/indapamide on GFR values, mL/min./1,73 m2.


According to stage 1 results of "The Scythian" trial changes in GFR as hypo- or hyperfiltration was shown in 8 out of 10 patients with T2DM [5]. Elevation of BP above 130/80 and particularly above 140/90 mmHg precedes increase/reduction in FGR. Micro albuminuria takes third place by time of its appearance among informative diabetic kidney disease signs [5].

The present work presents the results of 2nd stage of the trial "The Scythian", which aimed to study the possibility of intensive antihypertensive treatment to be introduced into the routine clinical practice and assessment of such therapy effect on kidney function in patients with T2DM. The primary endpoint was to achieve target blood pressure (BP) less than 130/80 mmHg with fixed combination of perindopril/indapamide. Secondary endpoint was to ascertain renal function trend by estimating GFR.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

637 patients with T2DM were included in prospective study. Inclusion criteria were as follows: established diagnosis of T2DM, age of more than 40 years and diagnosed arterial hypertension of 1-2nd grades with BP level more than 130/80 mmHg and less than 180/100 mmHg. Exclusion criteria were: arterial hypertension of 3rd stage, BP level of 180/110 mmHg and more, diagnosed type 1diabetes mellitus, age less than 40 years, history of myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular event in previous 6 months before examination, polycystic kidney disease presence, oncological diseases, pregnancy or breastfeeding, anemia at hemoglobin level less than 90 g/L.

As a basis for intensive antihypertensive treatment fixed combination of perindopril 5 mg + indapamide 1.25 mg was selected. The reason for selection of this combination were the results of the ADVANCE, where in large population of patients (more than 11 thousand patients with T2DM) it was demonstrated that this prescription at the background of standard antihypertensive therapy allowed to reduce all-cause mortality by 14%, cardiovascular mortality by 18%, and renal diabetes complications development by 21% [6].

The study was carried out according to the algorithm shown at Fig. (2) with providing patient’s signed informed consensus. In a case of BP level more than 130/80 mmHg the patients were prescribed fixed combination of perindopril 5 mg + indapamide 1.25 mg once a day in the morning. In case of absence of initial antihypertensive therapy the fixed combination was prescribed in monotherapy regimen. If the patients were receiving calcium channel blockers (CCB) or β-blockers (βBs), fixed combination was prescribed additionally. If patients were initially receiving ACEI, ARB, or combination which include ACEI or ARB this treatment was discontinued and fixed combination of perindopril 5 mg + indapamide 1.25 mg was prescribed. BP measurement was performed in 4 weeks after commencement of perindopril/ indapamide combination treatment. In case BP level achieved targeted level less than 130/80 mmHg the patient was recommended to continue treatment in the same dose. IfBP levels were raised, the dosages were increased twofold up to 10 mg of perindopril and 2.5 mg of indapamide. In 8 weeks BP measurements were repeated and when it was necessary other antihypertensive preparations were additionally prescribed to achieve targeted BP below 130/80 mmHg. BP levels were evaluated by office measurements in three consecutive days.

In 12 weeks after trial initiation measurements of BP level were provided to the patients and GFR was calculated. GFR index was calculated on the basis of serum creatinine levels by the Cockcroft & Gault formula [7]. The serum creatinine was measured using the modified Jaffe method in local certificated labs.

There were 289 (45.4%) male and 348 (54.6%) female patients includedin this trial. The mean age of the patients was 58±0.6years (М ± SD), average diabetes duration – 7±0.3years. Baseline creatinine level was 101±1.2 μmol/L, GFR - 84±1.1 mL/min./1.73 m2. Mean baseline systolic BP was 162±0.5 mmHg, mean baseline diastolic BP - 95±0.3 mmHg. 48% of patients has macroalbuminuria, 52% - microalbuminuria detected by dipstick tests.

The majority of patients received antihypertensive therapy at the baseline: 452 patients (67.8%) were treated with ACEI, 58 patients (8,7%) were taking ARB, 171 (25,6%) patients– CCB, 218 (32,7%) patients – βB, 235 (35,2%) patients - diuretics, 26 patients (3,9%) – α-blockers. However, only 340 patients (51%) received antihypertensive preparations regularly. The majority of patients (61.6%) received combined antihypertensive therapy. Low sodium diet was recommended to everybody.

Obesity, defined as body mass index more than 30 kg/m2in both genders, was reported in 386 (53%) of patients, 289 (43.5%) patients had excess body mass with body mass index more than 25 kg/m2.

Absolute majority of patients (563 patients – 86.9%) received glucose lowering drugsin tablets for hyperglycemia correction, while insulin therapy was prescribed for 60 patients (9.2%) and 25 persons (3.9%) received combined treatment with glucose lowering tableted drugs and insulin.

Statistical analysis of data received was carried out using online Creative Research Systems calculator of statistical significance [8]. The Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 and Microsoft Excel were used to tabulate and process the data.

RESULTS

As result of the treatment provided significant reduction of systolic and diastolic BP was achieved (Figs. 3, 4). In 4 weeks of treatment average systolic and diastolic blood pressure were 141, 3±0.5 and 86.3±0.3 mmHg, in 8 weeks of therapy – 131.6±0,4 and 81.3±0.3 mmHg, and in 12 weeks of treatment -127.2±0.3 and 78.7±0.2 mmHg, respectively. In absolute numbers systolic BP reduction for the period of treatment was 34.7 mmHg, diastolic BP reduction – 16.5 mmHg, p<0.001, compared to the baseline level before start of the therapy with fixed combination of perindopril/indapamide. It is important to emphasize that at the end of follow-up period among patients (n=353), receiving gperindopril 5 mg/indapamide 1.25 mg as monotherapy in a dose of 1 tablet a day average arterial pressure values were 128.5±0.6 and 79.9±0.5 mmHg, while in those who received perindopril 10 mg/indapamide 2.5 a day (n=284) the values of systolic and diastolic BP were123.4±0.5 and 76.7±0.4 mmHg, respectively.

In absolute numbers in the group of patients, receiving daily perindopril 5 mg/indapamide 1.25 mg (n=353), reductions of systolic and diastolic BP for the time of treatment were 33.7 mmHg and 17 mmHg, respectively, р<0,001, compared to the baseline. In the group of patients who took daily perindopril 10 mg/indapamide 2.5 mg (n=284), reductions of systolic and diastolic BP for the time of treatment were 38.4 mmHg and 15.8 mmHg, respectively, р<0,001, compared to the baseline.

Target BP below 130/80 mmHg (according to guidelines [4, 9]) was achieved in 171 patients (25.6%) in 4 weeks; in 373 patients (55.9%)in 8 weeks after treatment initiation, and in 489 (73.3%) patients in 12 weeks of treatment arterial BP sustained in targeted ranges. So, 148 patients (26,7%) needed to add/increase CCB or βB to reach targeted BP after 12 weeks of perindopril/indapamide. Among the patients with baseline BP level below 160/100 mmHg, at the end of 12-week follow-up period targeted BP were reported in 87.5% of patients (n=557), and among persons, with baseline BP level above 160/100 mmHg targeted BP levels were achieved in 72.5% (n=462).

Targeted BP at the end of 12-week observation period was achieved in 78.1% of patients (n=497) that initially received ACE inhibitors, in 81.8% of patients (n=521) that previously received angiotensin II receptor blockers, in 74.1% of patients (n=472) previously treated with CCB and in 95.7% of persons (n=610) that received βB.

At the beginning of the study 57,3% of patients (380) used perindopril/indapamide in combination with other antihypertensive drugs while at the end of trial – 47,5% (313).

Adequate antihypertensive therapy led to positive GRF and albuminuria modifications. Among micro albuminuria patients 21% were transformed in normo albuminuria, while 19% of that with macro albuminuria changed to micro albuminuria. No data were obtained in absolute numbers. Hence, statistically significant GRF increase under the influence of 12-week antihypertensive therapy with fixed combination of perindopril/indapamide – from 84.3±1.1 to 94.7±1.1 mL/min./1,73 m2, р<0.01 (Fig. 5) was documented. Proportion of patients with GRF more than 30 and less than 60 mL/min./1,73 m2 significantly decreased from 17.6 (n=112) to 8.1% (n=51) (р<0,001). Statistically significant GRF increase under the influence of antihypertensive therapy was seen independently on the initial BP level. However, correlation between BP reduction and initial GRF value was not determined (r=0,28).

DISCUSSION

First stage of “The Scythian” trial demonstrated that micro albuminuria is a late sign that follows BP increase and alteration of GFR and characterizes progression of diabetic kidney disease [5]. Urinary microalbumin excretion is only one risk factor for overt macroalbuminuria progression and GFR decline, and other important factors were implicated as important for prevention of ESRD [10]. Achievement of targeted BP values is the most important condition of DKD progression delay [4,11].

Based onthe results obtained it maybe possible to state that antihypertensive therapy with fixed combination of perindopril/indapamide led to targeted BP achievement in absolute number of patients with T2DM included in the study. In our opinion, renal damage may have combined influence due to hypertension and diabetic nephropathy. Hence any evidence-based prescription seems to be rational in routine practice demonstrating statistically significant positive trend in GFR with achieving of targeted BP.

In a recent review [12] which included 85 trials and 21708 patients it was shown that development of ESRD and progression of microalbuminuria to macroalbuminuria were reduced significantly with ACEI versus placebo and ARB versus placebo but not with combined therapy with ACEI+ARB versus monotherapy. There was also observed a significant reduction in the risk of nonfatal cardiovascular events with ACEI versus placebo, but not with ARB versus placebo, ACEI versus ARB or with combined therapy with ACEI+ARB versus monotherapy [12]. In connection with results of ADVANCE study [6], and recent review of renal, cardiovascular and mortality endpoints in antihypertensive trials in diabetic patients [13], therapy selection in favor of ACE inhibitor seems to be rational.

It is important to stress that effectiveness of fixed combination of perindopril/indapamide in terms of possibility to achieve the targeted BP values did not depend on previous antihypertensive therapy, being in ranges from 74% of patients receiving initially ССВ to 96% of patients receiving βB. At the same time, targeted BP achievement depended directly on the dose of fixed perindopril/indapamide combination that is known for both ACEI and ARB. In one of the recent meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials, alternate doses of angiotensin receptor blockers or angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in patients with T2DM and microalbuminuria were compared. MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials were searched from January 2006 to August 2010. The authors support current recommendations to titrate renin-angiotensin inhibitors to maximum dose whilst considering risk of adverse side effects with higher doses [14].

Adequate antihypertensive therapy led to statistically significant GFR increase and reduction of patients with CKD stage 3 under the influence of 12-week antihypertensive therapy with fixed combination of perindopril/indapamide. Positive GFR modifications were accompanied by reduction of relative patient’s number that were found to have significant GFR reduction. On the other hand, significant reduction of arterial pressure values was reported independently on the initial GFR value.

The strengths of presented results are the possibility of effective targeting BP in T2DM patients with perindopril/indapamide fixed dose and achieving rapid trend in kidney function renewal. Hence the weakness of the study is the absence of strict control of albuminuria level that does not allow to analyze correlation between microalbuminuria/ creatinine ratio and GFR. With new data obtained it may be reasonable to use GFR-EPI calculator for future trials.

CONCLUSION

The data obtained in “The Scynthian” trial demonstrate that a reduction to targeted blood pressure in T2DM patients can be achieved in a short period of time based on prescription of fixed perindopril (5-10 mg) /indapamide (1,25-2.5 mg)combination in 73% of cohort while adding CCB or βB is necessary for the rest one. While targeted BP grade achieved the GFR is improved globally as well as level of microalbuminuria. In our opinion antihypertensive therapy with fixed perindopril/indapamide combination could be introduced into the routine clinical practice in patients with T2DM and hypertension stage 1 or 2 as effective tool for BP reduction, achievement of BP targeted values and improvement of kidney function.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The clinical trial was conducted with a financial support of Servier company. The authors received lecture fees from Servier.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Authors, being project coordinators, express their deep gratitude to the clinicians that participated in the trial.

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