Comparative effects of valsartan plus cilnidipine or hydrochlorothiazide on nocturnal home blood pressure

We tested our hypothesis that, in hypertensive patients with higher nocturnal home systolic blood pressure (HSBP) at baseline, a valsartan/cilnidipine (80/10 mg) combination would reduce nocturnal HSBP more markedly than a valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide (80/12.5 mg) combination. Patients measured their nocturnal HSBP over three nights prior to study randomization and at the end of treatment. Sixty-three and 66 patients comprised the valsartan/cilnidipine and valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide groups; their respective baseline nocturnal HSBP values were 124.3 ± 15.6 and 125.8 ± 15.2 mm Hg (P =.597). Nocturnal HSBPs were significantly reduced from baseline in both groups. Although the valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide group exhibited a significantly greater reduction in nocturnal HSBP compared to the valsartan/cilnidipine group (−5.0 vs. −10.0 mm Hg, P =.035), interaction between the treatment groups and the baseline nocturnal HSBP levels for the changes in nocturnal HSBP after the treatment periods was significant (P =.047). The BP-lowering effect of valsartan/cilnidipine was more dependent on baseline nocturnal HSBP than that of valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide.