Study Objectives
1. Primary:
* Reduction of 24h BP in obese hypertensives
* Reduction in arterial stiffness
2. Secondary
* Drug specific effect on new onset of diabetes
* Drug specific effect on reduction in central fat deposition and the leptin to adiponectin ratio
Study design
Study drugs: Irbesartan 300mg vs. amlodipine 10mg
Tx duration and follow-up: 12 months
Collected data:
* 24h SBP and DBP in time 0, 1, 12.
* Pulse wave velocity in time 0,1,12.
* Central obesity (total, visceral, abdominal fat) in time 0,1,12.
* Leptin/adiponectin in time 0,1,12.
* BMI, waist/hip ratio in time 0,1, 12.
* Glu, HbA1c, insulin in time 0, 1,12.
* K, Na, Cr, BUN, Chol, Tg, HDL, LDL,ALT, AST in time 0, 1,12. Number of patients: The reduction in mean SBP expected to be 15 mmHg. Previous studies from our group reported an 14mmHg SD for mean SBP. The sample size required at the two sided 5% significance level and 80% power is 40 patients (Lehr's formula)
Number of centers: 1
