As a whole, the potency varied from 2.31 ± 1.09 to 2.27 ± 0.76 without a statistical significance (p = 0.65) (Fig. 1a). The average number of the tablets was selleck inhibitor changed from 2.63 ± 1.26 to 1.53 ± 0.91 (p < 0.001) (Fig. 1b). The changes in costs of antihypertensive drugs were estimated on the basis of the drug prices determined by the Ministry of Health, SN-38 Labour and Welfare in Japan in 2012. The costs of antihypertensive drugs decreased in 68 patients (75.6 %) but increased in 21 patients (23.3 %). The average cost of antihypertensive medication per month changed significantly from 6,873 ± 3,054 yen to 5,380 ± 2,198 yen (p < 0.001), Selleck MK-4827 resulting in an average decrease of 18,167 yen per year (Fig. 1c). Fig. 1 Changes in drug potency, number of tablets and drug cost by the switch to combination drugs. a Changes in drug potency. The potency did not change from 2.31 ± 1.09 to 2.27 ± 0.76 (p = 0.65). b Changes in the number of tablets of antihypertensive drugs. The number of tablets significantly

changed from 2.63 ± 1.26 to 1.53 ± 0.91 (p < 0.001). c Changes in the monthly costs for antihypertensive drugs. The monthly costs significantly decreased from 6,873 ± 3,054 yen to 5,380 ± 2,198 yen (p < 0.001) Changes in blood pressure In all 90 patients, the office blood pressure showed a significant decrease in both SBP (from 142.7 ± 19.4 mmHg to 134.7 ± 18.0 mmHg, p < 0.001) and DBP (from 82.6 ± 13.0 mmHg to 78.4 ± 11.7 mmHg, p < 0.001) (Fig. 2a). Sitaxentan Next, we analyzed the changes in BP in association with the change in potency. In the group of decrease in potency (n = 14), neither SBP nor DBP significantly changed; SBP from 135.4 ± 13.8 to 134.9 ± 13.5 mmHg (p = 0.90), DBP from 79.4 ± 8.9 to 79.1 ± 7.4 mmHg (p = 0.89) (Fig. 2b). Even in the group of no change in potency (n = 55), SBP and DBP significantly decreased;

SBP from 137.2 ± 15.9 to 131.1 ± 13.8 mmHg (p = 0.013) and DBP from 80.8 ± 12.9 to 76.7 ± 10.6 mmHg (p = 0.008) (Fig. 2c). In the group of increase in potency (n = 21), SBP significantly decreased from 161.7 ± 18.2 to 143.6 ± 25.3 mmHg (p < 0.001) and DBP significantly decreased from 89.4 ± 11.2 to 82.3 ± 15.0 mmHg (p = 0.018) (Fig. 2d). Fig. 2 Changes in blood pressure after switching to combination drugs. a Changes in blood pressure in total patients. SBP (systolic blood pressure) significantly decreased from 142.7 ± 19.4 mmHg to 134.7 ± 18.0 mmHg (p < 0.001) and DBP (diastolic blood pressure) significantly decreased from 82.6 ± 13.0 to 78.4 ± 11.7 mmHg (p < 0.001). b Changes in blood pressure in the group of decrease in potency. SBP did not change from 135.4 ± 13.8 to 134.9 ± 13.5 mmHg (p = 0.90), and DBP did not change from 79.4 ± 8.9 to 79.1 ± 7.4 mmHg (p = 0.89).