Influence of combination antihypertension therapy on the parameters of vessel wall rigidity in non-controlled arterial hypertension patients with depression

Abstract

Aim. Assessment of combination of antihypertension therapy (CAT) including antidepressant, on the main parameters of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), vascular wall rigidity parameters and central aortic pressure in patients with non-controlled arterial hypertension (NCAH) and depression disorders (DD). Material and methods. Totally, 160 patients studied with NCAH and DD, whom CAT was prescribed, that included angiotensine converting enzyme inhibitor perindopril 10 mg/day and diuretic indapamide SR 1,5 mg/day. Patients were randomized to 2 groups: in 1 group, to the therapy antidepressant escitalopram (Es) was added 10 mg per day; in 2 group — calcium antagonist amlodipine 5-10 mg per day. At baseline and in 24 weeks all included patients underwent general clinical assessment, ABPM (hardware ABPM by LLC “Piotr Telegin” BPLab Vasotens, Russia) under circumstances of free exertion regimen, with measurements interval 25 min day and 50 minutes nighttime. The following was assessed: mean daily, daytime and nighttime systolic pressure (sBP), diastolic pressure (dBP), BP variability, time index of AH, level and speed of morning BP increase, circadian index, pulse BP. In addition, the mean daily parameters of vessel rigidity were evaluated: time of reflected wave spread, evaluative velocity of pulse wave in aorta, augmentation index (Alx, %); main central aortic pressure parameters were checked: sBP (sBPao, mmHg), dBP (dBPao, mmHg), mean pressure in aorta (BPaom, mmHg), augmentation index in aorta (Alxao, %). Questionnaires were completed by patients: anxiety and depression HADS, selfestimation of depression by Tsung, Spielberger anxiety, Vein vegetative changes, life quality questionnaire SF-36 and ABPM. Results. In 24 weeks of therapy the positive statistically significant dynamics of depression spectrum disorders was marked in Es group, but in the 2nd group, by the majority of parameters depression level remained high. Usage of antidepressant as a part of CAT led to significant decrease of anxiety and vegetative changes, but in “traditional” therapy group there was increase of anxiety and vegetative disorders remained. In 1st group of patients taking antidepressant there was more prominent and statistically significant comparing to control group improvement of life quality parameters by SF-36. CAT with Es led to decrease of BP to target levels in a half of patients in 4 weeks, but in controls, to reach target values, in 75,6% it was need to increase amlodipine dosage up to 10 mg daily. Comparison of dynamics of ABPM parameters in 24 weeks showed that in the 1st group there was significantly more prominent improvement of main ABPM parameters comparing to controls. Conclusion. Usage of Es in CAT led to significant improvement of psychoemotional and vegetative status of patients, decrease of the main symptoms of depression and anxiety, improvement of life quality parameters, more rapid target BP achievement and more significant improvement of main ABPM parameters, than therapy without antidepressant.