A 23% relative risk reduction in new-onset diabetes over 4 years was observed in the Valsartan Antihypertensive Long-term Use Evaluation (VALUE) trial presented at the European Society of Hypertension meeting on 14 June and published simultaneously online by The Lancet. The 15,245-patient trial set out to see if, for the same blood-pressure control, an angiotensin receptor blocker-based treatment regimen using valsartan would reduce cardiac morbidity and mortality more than a calcium channel blocker-based regimen using amlodipine in hypertensive patients at high cardiovascular risk. The answer was negative. Patients receiving amlodipine achieved better and earlier blood pressure control, significantly reducing their risk of fatal and non-fatal myocardial infarction more than those on valsartan-based treatment (p=0.02).
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Valsartan's reduction in new-onset diabetes was statistically significant. However, some experts said that similar reductions were found in the LIFE (Losartan Intervention for Endpoint reduction in hypertension) trial and in most recent antihypertensive trials. Professor Bryan Williams of Leicester University said the study confirms people at high risk of developing diabetes are better off avoiding blood pressure-lowering combinations primarily using beta-blockers or diuretics. The real importance of VALUE was demonstrating the importance of establishing effective blood pressure control quickly, he commented.
COPYRIGHT 2004 S.B. Communications
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group
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