Antialbuminuric effect of eplerenone in comparison to thiazide diuretics in patients with hypertension.

This study investigated the effects and safety of eplerenone or thiazide diuretics in patients with hypertension and albuminuria (pretreatment urinary albumin/creatinine ratio 10mg/gCr) treated with an angiotensin II receptor blocker. The primary end point was the mean percent change in the urinary albumin/creatinine ratio from baseline to 48weeks. An efficacy analysis was performed in 195 patients (98 in the eplerenone group and 97 in the thiazide group). Systolic and diastolic blood pressures at 48weeks were similar in the two groups. The mean percent change in the urinary albumin/creatinine ratio from baseline to 48weeks was similar in the two groups (P=.804). In the safety analysis, the withdrawal rates for adverse events were similar in both groups. The antialbuminuric effects and safety of eplerenone therapy were similar to those of thiazide diuretics when combined with an angiotensin II receptor blocker in patients with hypertension and albuminuria.