Abstract
Background/Aims: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of an antihypertensive treatment adjustment on 24-hour blood pressure variation in type 2 diabetes patients. Methods: The study group included 59 hypertensive type 2 diabetes patients subjected to a single one-step antihypertensive agent dose adjustment (increase or decrease). Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring was performed at baseline and 4–6 weeks after the treatment modification. Controls were 41 matched patients, in whom antihypertensive treatment remained unchanged. Results: At baseline, 45 (76%) study group patients and 29 (71%) controls were ‘non-dippers’; a similar number of patients in both groups converted to ‘dipping’ or vice versa: 11 (19%) from the study group and 7 (17%) controls. ‘Converters’ from the study group were significantly younger (47.5 ± 3.9 vs. 56.4 ± 12.2 years; p < 0.05) and had lower 24-hour systolic blood pressure than ‘non-converters’: 113.7 ± 7.2 vs. 127.7 ± 20.3 mm Hg (p < 0.01). Conclusion: A single one-step antihypertensive medication adjustment does not affect ‘dipping’ status in type 2 diabetes patients. However, the assessment of blood pressure variation should be made with greater caution in younger type 2 diabetes subjects with low systolic blood pressure.