Should we CLICK on chlorthalidone for treatment-resistant hypertension in chronic kidney disease?

Abstract

Treatment-resistant hypertension is common among patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD). In people with preserved kidney function, spironolactone is an evidence-based treatment. However, the risk for hyperkalemia limits its use in people with more advanced CKD. In the Chlorthalidone in Chronic Kidney Disease (CLICK) trial, 160 patients with stage 4 CKD and poorly controlled hypertension as confirmed by 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) monitoring were randomly assigned to either placebo or chlorthalidone 12.5 mg daily in a 1:1 ratio stratified by prior loop diuretic use. The primary endpoint was the change in 24-hour systolic ABP from baseline to 12 weeks. The trial showed a treatment-induced reduction of 24-hour systolic ABP by 10.5 mmHg. Of the 160 patients randomized, 113 (71%) had resistant hypertension, of which 90 (80%) were on loop diuretics and the mean number of antihypertensive medications prescribed was 4.1 (standard deviation 1.1). In this subgroup of patients with treatment-resistant hypertension, the adjusted change from baseline to 12 weeks in the between-group difference in 24-hour systolic ABP was -13.9 mmHg (95% CI -19.4 to -8.4; P