Title:Efficacy and Safety Assessment of Hypertension Management with Coveram (Perindopril/Amlodipine Fixed Combination) in Patients with Previous Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB) Treatment: Arabian Gulf STRONG Study
Volume: 14
Issue: 6
Author(s): Mustafa Ahmed, Muath Alanbaei, Hassan El Tamimi, Yahya Al-Wahshi and Ibrahim Al-Zakwani
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Hypertension, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor antagonists, perindopril amlodipine
combination, safety, treatment effectiveness, Middle East.
Abstract: Objective: We evaluated the safety and efficacy of hypertension management
with Coveram (perindopril/amlodipine combination) in patients with uncontrolled
blood pressure (BP). All patients were on previous angiotensin receptor
blocker (ARB) treatment.
Methods: This was a 3 country, multi-centre (7 cities), open-label, observational study
in the Arabian Gulf. Patients (18 years) were recruited between October 2012 and
November 2013 and followed-up for 3 months after enrolment. Outcomes included
changes in BP from baseline and BP goal attainment rates as per Joint National Committee-
8 (<140/90 mmHg for diabetics and those <60 years of age and <150/90
mmHg for those 60 years of age without diabetes). Medication tolerance was also
assessed from both patient and physician perspectives.
Results: Hypertensive patients (n=760; mean age: 51±10 years; 67% were males) were included. A total
of 178 patients (23%) were lost to follow-up. The perindopril/amlodipine combination was associated
with an overall reduction in systolic BP (SBP) (31 mmHg; p<0.001) and diastolic BP (DBP) (18 mmHg;
p<0.001) from baseline. An overall BP control rate was achieved in 87% (n=507) of the participants.
There were significant incremental BP reductions with dose up-titration, especially SBP (p<0.001). Those
with high SBP (>180 mmHg) at baseline were associated with a mean reduction of 59 mmHg (p<0.001).
The perindopril/amlodipine combination had excellent tolerance levels over the study period from both
patient and physician perspectives (at 99% and 98%, respectively; p<0.001).
Conclusions: The perindopril/amlodipine combination is an effective and well tolerated anti-hypertensive
option in patients on previous ARB treatment.
