Objectives: Many studies have compared losartan with other antihypertensive agents in the management of hypertensive patients with hyperuricaemia in China. However, systematic assessment of efficacy and safety between losartan and other antihypertensive agents is still lacking. This meta-analysis sought to evaluate the available randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding losartan treatment for hypertensive patients with hyperuricaemia in China.
Methods: Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang database were searched until December 2013. Only RCTs comparing losartan with other antihypertensive agents for the management of hypertensive patients with hyperuricaemia in Chinese patients were included.
Results: Thirty-one RCTs with 2754 patients were identified. Losartan reduced serum uric acid levels (weighted mean differences - 1.57 mg/dl, 95% confidence interval -1.83 to -1.30) compared with other antihypertensive agents. No significant differences in the reduction in SBP or DBP were observed. The incidence of adverse events was comparable between losartan and other agents, so no differences were found in dizziness and headache. Losartan generated a lower incidence than angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors of reported dry cough (risk ratio 0.19, 95% confidence interval 0.10-0.36).
Conclusion: There are no significant differences between losartan and other antihypertensive agents in the reduction of blood pressure. However, losartan is superior to other agents in the reduction of serum uric acid levels; it might be a better choice in hypertensive patients with hyperuricaemia.