Comparison of efficacy of azilsartan with olmesartan on microalbuminuria in hypertensive diabetics: randomized controlled trial

Background: Angiotensin- -converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARBs) lead to a reduction in the cardiovascular mortality rate and an improvement in glomerular filtration rate in hypertensive diabetic patients. Objective: We want to evaluate effect of azilsartan with olmesartan on microalbuminuria in hypertensive diabetics. Material and Methods: A randomized, prospective, open label, comparative interventional study and conducted in the Department of Medicine and Pharmacology at Dr. R.P.G.M.C, Kangra at Tanda. The study stretched over a period of one year and microalbuminuria was measured at baseline and sixth month after initiating the treatment. Out of 69 patients, 35 patients in group A were prescribed tablet azilsartan 40 mg/day and 34 patients in group B patients were prescribed tablet olmesartan 20 mg/day along with chlorthalidone 12.5 mg/day and metformin 1 gm o.d in both the groups. Statistical analysis: Data was presented as mean + SD. Student’s t-test was used for comparing continuous variables between the two groups. P value < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: In group A, microalbuminuria reduced from baseline of 36.93±8.39 to 11.88±2.42 at 6-months (p <0.001). In group B, values reduced from baseline of 23.30±11.34 to 18.33±6.39 at 6-months (p <0.001). On intergroup comparison, microalbuminuria was reduced more in azilsartan group (p<0.001). Conclusion: Azilsartan is significantly better than olmesartan in reducing microalbuminuria in hypertensive diabetics.