New-onset diabetes and antihypertensive therapy: comments on ALLHAT trial

Abstract

The development of new-onset diabetes is frequent during the follow-up of treated hypertensive patients. The prevalence of such an event seems to differ depending on the type of antihypertensive therapy used to control blood pressure. Diuretics and -blockers and their association are particularly harmful in this regard. On the contrary, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers, alone or in association with diuretics, are associated with a lower prevalence of this metabolic complication. These statements are confirmed by data from the Antihypertensive and Lipid Lowering Treatment to Prevent Heart Attack Trial (ALLHAT) study. Longterm studies are required to determine the relevance of development of new-onset diabetes in treated hypertensive patients.