Improved Blood Pressure Control in Indians found in study utilizing two-drug combination therapies by the Centre for Chronic Disease Control (CCDC)

Improved Blood Pressure Control in Indians found in study utilizing two-drug combination therapies by the Centre for Chronic Disease Control (CCDC)

In a significant breakthrough for hypertension management, a new study called TOPSPIN has found that three two-drug combination therapies are equally effective and safe for lowering blood pressure in South Asian (Indian) patients with uncontrolled hypertension.

The three combinations, which include Amlodipine plus Perindopril, Amlodipine plus Indapamide, and Perindopril plus Indapamide, have shown substantial reductions in both 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (~14/8 mm Hg) and office blood pressure (~30/14 mm Hg) after six months of treatment.

The study, which was coordinated by the Centre for Chronic Disease Control (CCDC) New Delhi, AIIMS New Delhi, and Imperial College London, included 1,981 patients aged 30-79 years across 32 hospitals, making it the first randomized trial to test first-line two-drug combination therapies as single pills in a South Asian population.

Approximately 70% of participants achieved controlled hypertension (blood pressure <140/90 mm Hg), a rate about five times greater than current control rates with single-drug therapy in India. No significant difference was observed among the three combinations regarding efficacy in reducing blood pressure or safety profiles; all were equally well tolerated.

Prof. Ambuj Roy, Professor of Cardiology at AIIMS Delhi, notes that nearly 70% of patients got their blood pressure under control, a huge improvement over the current national average. He also mentions that the pills were safe and easy to use, providing clear guidance for better hypertension care.

Prof. Dorairaj Prabhakaran, Executive Director of CCDC and one of the study's lead authors, states that a single daily pill with two drugs can be a simple and powerful way to manage blood pressure in Indian and South Asian patients. He further emphasizes that the study findings can help guide doctors and policymakers, and if added to India's list of essential medicines and made available at primary health centres, these pills could greatly improve blood pressure control in the country.

The pills were well-tolerated, with less than 3% of patients reporting side effects serious enough to stop treatment. The study findings are published in Nature Medicine.

Prof. Neil Poulter, Professor at Imperial College London, emphasizes the importance of studying how medicines work in different populations. He suggests that the TOPSPIN study gives strong evidence on what works best in South Asians, which could help improve treatment not only in India, but also for South Asians living around the world.

The study findings come at a crucial time, as hypertension affects over one billion adults worldwide, including over 300 million living in India. Innovative solutions are needed to curb the growing tide of high blood pressure, which is the single highest risk factor for global deaths.

In conclusion, the TOPSPIN trial establishes that these three two-drug fixed-dose combinations are safe, well tolerated, and highly effective in improving blood pressure control among South Asians with hypertension. The study supports current hypertension management guidelines recommending two-drug combination therapy, ideally in a single-pill formulation, but uniquely validates these specific combinations for South Asians—a population representing one-fourth of the world's population—with an urgent need for effective hypertension control.

1. Science has revealed a notable advancement in managing hypertension with the TOPSPIN study.
2. The new study focuses on the effectiveness of two-drug combination therapies for South Asian patients with uncontrolled hypertension.
3. Three specific combinations, including Amlodipine plus Perindopril, Amlodipine plus Indapamide, and Perindopril plus Indapamide, were tested.
4. These combinations resulted in significant reductions in 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure and office blood pressure after six months.
5. The CCDC New Delhi, AIIMS New Delhi, and Imperial College London coordinated the study, involving 1,981 patients across 32 hospitals.
6. Approximately 70% of participants achieved controlled hypertension, a rate higher than India's current control rates with single-drug therapy.
7. No significant differences were observed among the three combinations regarding efficacy or safety profiles.
8. All combinations were well-tolerated, with less than 3% of patients reporting side effects severe enough to stop treatment.
9. The study findings were published in Nature Medicine.
10. Professor Ambuj Roy from AIIMS Delhi highlights the significant improvement in controlling blood pressure among South Asians.
11. Professor Dorairaj Prabhakaran, the study's lead author and CCDC's Executive Director, believes that these two-drug fixed-dose combinations can greatly improve blood pressure control in India.
12. The pills are easy to use and provide clear guidance for better hypertension care.
13. Innovative solutions are essential to curb the growing tide of high blood pressure, which is the single highest risk factor for global deaths.
14. Hypertension currently affects over one billion adults worldwide, including over 300 million living in India.
15. The TOPSPIN study gives strong evidence on what works best for South Asians, potentially improving treatment for the global South Asian population.
16. Studies like TOPSPIN are crucial for understanding how medicines work in different populations.
17. The pill's safety and effectiveness support current hypertension management guidelines recommending two-drug combination therapy.
18. The specific combinations validated by the TOPSPIN study are particularly beneficial for South Asians, representing one-fourth of the world's population.
19. Urgent action is needed to develop effective solutions for hypertension control in South Asians.
20. Improved hypertension management could significantly reduce the burden of chronic diseases such as COPD, type-2 diabetes, and cancer.
21. Good health and wellness encompass multiple aspects, including respiratory conditions, digestive health, eye health, hearing, and more.
22. Fitness and exercise, in addition to proper nutrition, contribute to overall health and help manage chronic diseases.
23. Mental health, a critical component of wellness, requires focus, with wants-health issues like depression and anxiety becoming more prevalent.
24. Men's health includes important issues such as prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, and testosterone deficiency.
25. Women's health initiatives should address concerns like breast cancer, ovarian cancer, menopause, and pregnancy-related complications.
26. Aging brings changes to health and wellness, necessitating attention to topics like skin care, sexual health, and Alzheimer's disease.

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