A comparison of a combination drug of an angiotensin II receptor antagonist and a low-dose diuretic vs combination therapy with an angiotensin II receptor antagonist and a calcium channel blocker in hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome

INTERVENTION: Losartan / HCTZ group Losartan (50 mg) and amlodipine (5 mg) combination group CONDITION: Hypertension with metabolic syndrome PRIMARY OUTCOME: Change in systolic blood pressure after 12 weeks of treatment SECONDARY OUTCOME: ‐ Change and % change in blood pressure after 12 and 24 weeks of treatment (excluding change in systolic blood pressure after 12 weeks of treatment); ‐ Change and % change in Adiponectin, 8OHdG, HOMA‐R, microalbuminuria, hs‐CRP after 12 and 24 weeks of treatment; ‐ Safety throughout the treatment period; ‐ For other laboratory test values, exploratory analysis is to be conducted to analyze variations within a group and/or between two groups. INCLUSION CRITERIA: INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1) Patients who met diagnostic criteria for definite or probable metabolic syndrome 2) Patients with essential hypertension, who have been previously treated with monotherapy of an ARB or a calcium channel blocker for more than 3 months, however, whose blood pressure has not been adequately controlled (systolic blood pressure >140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure >90mmHg) 3) Men and women aged 20 to 80 years at the time of the first visit. 4) Outpatients 5) Patients who fully understand the study procedures explained to them using explanatory notes and have given written informed consent to participate in the study