Effects and Mechanisms of Dapagliflozin Treatment on Ambulatory Blood Pressure in Diabetic Patients with Hypertension

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that dapagliflozin has antihypertensive effects. However, the effects and mechanisms of dapagliflozin on ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) have not been fully evaluated. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of dapagliflozin treatment on ABP in patients with type 2 diabetes and hypertension. MATERIAL/METHODS: Patients were prospectively enrolled and divided into 2 groups: dapagliflozin treatment group (n=182) and no dapagliflozin treatment group (n=304). Clinical characteristics and measures of treatment, serum uric acid (SUA), 24-h urinary UA (UUA) excretion, and 24-h ABP were collected. The effects and mechanisms of dapagliflozin on 24-h ABP were evaluated. RESULTS: After 3 months, the patients without dapagliflozin treatment had higher SUA, lower 24-h UUA excretion, and higher 24-h and daytime systolic blood pressure (SBP) (P<0.05) compared to patients with dapagliflozin treatment. After adjusting for covariates, results showed that dapagliflozin treatment was significantly associated with reduced 24-h SBP (β=−0.29 and P=0.02) and reduced daytime SBP (β=−0.33 and P=0.009). After additionally adjusting for SUA and 24-h UUA excretion, there were no significant relationships found between dapagliflozin treatment and 24-h (β=−012, P=0.10) and daytime SBP (β=−0.20, P=0.06). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with diabetes and hypertension, dapagliflozin treatment was associated with reduced 24-h and daytime SBP, which could be related to the drug’s effect of increasing 24-h UUA excretion.