Combination of antihypertensive therapy in the elderly, multicenter investigation (CAMUI) trial.

Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) with calcium channel blockers (CCBs) or diuretics are a widely used combination therapy for hypertensive patients. The present study aimed to determine which combination was better for elderly hypertension patients aged ≧ 65 years.We designed a multicentre, randomized, open-label, parallel comparison study. Hypertensive outpatients aged ≧ 65 years who did not achieve the target blood pressure (BP < 140/90 mmHg) with usual dosages of ARBs were randomly assigned to switch treatment to losartan 50 mg/hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg or amlodipine 5 mg in addition to ARBs. The primary endpoint was a change in the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) after the 3-month treatment period, while secondary endpoints were changes in the BP, albuminuria, laboratory values, and cognitive function with the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) at baseline and after one year. The results from the CAMUI trial should provide new evidence for selecting optimal combination therapies for elderly hypertensive patients.