Age- and Sex-Related Differences in Efficacy With an Angiotensin II Receptor Blocker and a Calcium Channel Blocker in Asian Hypertensive Patients

Overseas guidelines to manage hypertension recommend selecting different drugs depending on age, but no studies have investigated the relationship between drug selection and age- and sex-related differences, although such information may help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular mortality. The Azilsartan Circadian and Sleep Pressure––the First Study (ACS1) trial was a multicentered, randomized, open-label, two-parallel group study comparing the effects of an angiotensin II receptor blocker (azilsartan) and a calcium channel blocker (amlodipine). The present study is a post hoc analysis of ACS1 to investigate age- and sex-related differences in the antihypertensive effects between azilsartan and amlodipine. Azilsartan significantly reduced diastolic blood pressure in male patients younger than 60 years compared with amlodipine, but amlodipine significantly reduced systolic blood pressure in female patients 60 years and older compared with azilsartan. A randomized controlled trial to evaluate cardiovascular outcomes will demonstrate whether a diastolic blood pressure–lowering effect with azilsartan is significantly effective in male patients younger than 60 years.