A Journal Article Based Approach to Understanding the Clinical Aspects of Hypertension
Volume 1 Issue 6
March 2016  
Context and Study Objective
Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) is the most commonly prescribed anti-hypertensive in the U.S. despite being approximately half as potent as and with a shorter duration of action than chlorthalidone. This study sought to compare the degree of anti-hypertensive effect and duration of action of these agents. 

Main Outcome
Change in mean 24hr ambulatory blood pressure (ABPM) over 12 weeks. Secondary endpoints included changes in daytime and night time pressures.

Design, Setting, and Participants
Patients were randomized in a double-blind fashion to morning doses of chlorthalidone 6.25mg, HCTZ 12.5mg, or HCTZ continuous release (not to be discussed). Those with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, "recent cardiovascular disease," or BP>160/100 mm Hg were excluded. The study was conducted in India.
Results
-One hundred fifty patients were screened with 20 ultimately randomized to each arm. Mean age was 44; mean pressure was 148/93 mm Hg. 
-Table: By ABPM, reductions in mean systolic and diastolic pressure as well as daytime and nighttimes pressures were greater in the chlorthalidone than HCTZ group.  The difference was most pronounced during the nighttime hours
-Figure: The anti-hypertensive effect of chlorthalidone persisted throughout the overnight and early morning hours whereas that of HCTZ waned. Similar trends were noted for diastolic pressures. 
-Hypokalemia occurred in 1 patient in each arm. No episodes of hyponatremia or gout were noted. 
Clinical Perspective
-As presented in an earlier newsletter (click here) , low dose therapy has considerable anti-hypertensive effect.  
-Chlorthalidone is both more potent and longer acting than HCTZ. While the dose of HCTZ can be increased to match the potency of chlorthalidone, HCTZ must be given twice/day to ensure 24hr anti-hypertensive efficacy. 
-Since the duration of action of HCTZ is well under 24hrs, its anti-hypertensive effect wanes in the early morning hours, the time at which BP is highest and the most cardiovascular events occur (click here).  
-Study limitations include the small number of patients randomized (versus screened) and the large standard deviation around a given BP reduction. The exclusion criteria are also clinically relevant. Finally, the study was underpowered to detect adverse events. 
-Despite the above limitations, the results are consistent with the existing literature and generalizable to most hypertensives (apart those with a GFR <  30cc/min). As such, i n my own practice, I rarely use HCTZ but instead favor chlorthalidone (12.5, 25mg) or indapamide (1.25, 2.5mg) as my thiazide of choice. 
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