Allopurinol initiation and change in blood pressure in older adults with hypertension

Beattie, C. J., Fulton, R. L., Higgins, P., Padmanabhan, S. , McCallum, L., Walters, M. R. , Dominiczak, A. F. , Touyz, R. M. and Dawson, J. (2014) Allopurinol initiation and change in blood pressure in older adults with hypertension. Hypertension, 64(5), pp. 1102-1107. (doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.114.03953) (PMID:25135183)

Abstract

Hypertension is a key risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and new treatments are needed. Uric acid reduction lowers blood pressure (BP) in adolescents, suggesting a direct pathophysiological role in the development of hypertension. Whether the same relationship is present in older adults is unknown. We explored change in BP after allopurinol initiation using data from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Data were extracted for patients with hypertension aged >65 years who were prescribed allopurinol with pretreatment and during treatment BP readings. Data from comparable controls were extracted. The change in BP in patients with stable BP medication was the primary outcome and was compared between groups. Regression analysis was used to adjust for potential confounding factors, and a propensity-matched sample was generated. Three hundred sixty-five patients who received allopurinol and 6678 controls were included. BP fell in the allopurinol group compared with controls (between-group difference in systolic and diastolic BP: 2.1 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval, −0.6 to 4.8; and 1.7 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval, 0.4–3.1, respectively). Allopurinol use was independently associated with a fall in both systolic and diastolic BP on regression analysis (P<0.001). Results were consistent in the propensity-matched sample. There was a trend toward greater fall in BP in the high-dose allopurinol group, but change in BP was not related to baseline uric acid level. Allopurinol use is associated with a small fall in BP in adults. Further studies of the effect of high-dose allopurinol in adults with hypertension are needed.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Walters, Professor Matthew and Macisaac, Dr Rachael and Dawson, Professor Jesse and Touyz, Professor Rhian and Padmanabhan, Professor Sandosh and Dominiczak, Professor Anna and Higgins, Dr Peter
• Authors: Beattie, C. J., Fulton, R. L., Higgins, P., Padmanabhan, S., McCallum, L., Walters, M. R., Dominiczak, A. F., Touyz, R. M., and Dawson, J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: Hypertension
• Publisher: American Heart Association
• ISSN: 0194-911X
• ISSN (Online): 1524-4563
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2014 The American Heart Association
• First Published: First published in Hypertension 64(5):1102-1107
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher