Trends in Blood Pressure and Prevalence of Hypertension in Korean Adults Based on the 1998-2014 KNHANES

Purpose: To investigate trends in blood pressure (BP) and hypertension prevalence in Korea. Materials and methods: Based on the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) I (1998), II (2001), III (2005), IV (2007-2009), V (2010-2012), and VI (2013-2014), 56077 participants (23974 men and 32103 women) were included. Results: Mean systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP) decreased in both sexes (male SBP: 128.1 to 120.2 mm Hg, male DBP: 82.0 to 78.5 mm Hg; female SBP: 125.7 to 116.0 mm Hg and female DBP: 77.4 to 73.2 mm Hg from the KNHANES I-VI). The age-standardized prevalence of hypertension was significantly decreased in both sexes (male; 33.3% to 30.3%, female; 28.7% to 22.7%, all p for trend <0.001). Regardless of taking anti-hypertensive medication or not, SBP and DBP declined universally in both sexes. Compared to the KNHANES I, the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of the KNHANES II to VI for less-than-normotensive and less-than-hypertensive BP increased in both sexes. Conclusion: Mean BP levels in both sexes and hypertension prevalence showed downward trends during the 16-year period.ope

Effect of FIXed-dose combination of ARb and statin on adherence and risk factor control: The randomized FIXAR study

Background: The efficacy of fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) in improving adherence and risk factor control for cardiovascular disease has not been reported consistently. Here, we compared adherence and efficacy between an olmesartan/rosuvastatin FDC and the usual regimen. Methods: In this 6-month, open-label, randomized, active-control study, we screened 154 patients; of these, 150 were randomly assigned to receive either olmesartan/rosuvastatin FDC or the usual regimen with separate angiotensin receptor blockers and statins. In total, 135 patients completed the study (median age: 68 years; male: 68.9%). The primary outcome was patients’ adherence; the secondary outcomes were changes in blood pressure (BP) and lipid parameters. Results: During follow-up, adherence in both groups was high and similar between the groups (98.9% and 98.3% in the FDC and usual regimen groups, respectively, p = 0.328). Changes in systolic (–8 and –5 mmHg, respectively, p = 0.084) and diastolic BP (–5 and –2 mmHg, p = 0.092) did not differ significantly, although they were numerically greater in the FDC group. Changes in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were greater in the FDC group (–13 and –4 mg/dL, respectively, p = 0.019), whereas changes in other lipid parameters were similar between the groups. The test drugs were well tolerated, showing no difference in safety between the groups. Conclusions: Patients’ adherence was excellent and similar in the groups, whereas the reduction in the LDL-C level was greater in the FDC group. We provide comprehensive information on the adherence and efficacy of an FDC compared to the usual regimen in Korean patients with high cardiovascular risk

Effect of FIXed-dose combination of ARb and statin on adherence and risk factor control: The randomized FIXAR study

Background: The efficacy of fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) in improving adherence and risk factor control for cardiovascular disease has not been reported consistently. Here, we compared adherence and efficacy between an olmesartan/rosuvastatin FDC and the usual regimen. Methods: In this 6-month, open-label, randomized, active-control study, we screened 154 patients; of these, 150 were randomly assigned to receive either olmesartan/rosuvastatin FDC or the usual regimen with separate angiotensin receptor blockers and statins. In total, 135 patients completed the study (median age: 68 years; male: 68.9%). The primary outcome was patients' adherence; the secondary outcomes were changes in blood pressure (BP) and lipid parameters. Results: During follow-up, adherence in both groups was high and similar between the groups (98.9% and 98.3% in the FDC and usual regimen groups, respectively, p = 0.328). Changes in systolic (-8 and -5 mmHg, respectively, p = 0.084) and diastolic BP (-5 and -2 mmHg, p = 0.092) did not differ significantly, although they were numerically greater in the FDC group. Changes in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were greater in the FDC group (-13 and -4 mg/dL, respectively, p = 0.019), whereas changes in other lipid parameters were similar between the groups. The test drugs were well tolerated, showing no difference in safety between the groups. Conclusions: Patients' adherence was excellent and similar in the groups, whereas the reduction in the LDL-C level was greater in the FDC group. We provide comprehensive information on the adherence and efficacy of an FDC compared to the usual regimen in Korean patients with high cardiovascular risk.ope