Effect of 3, 2-Drug Combinations of Antihypertensive Therapies on Blood Pressure Variability in Black African Patients: Secondary Analyses of the CREOLE Trial.

Background: The effect of 3 commonly recommended combinations of anti-hypertensive agents-amlodipine plus hydrochlorothiazide (calcium channel blocker [CCB]+thiazide), amlodipine plus perindopril (CCB+ACE [angiotensin-converting enzyme]-inhibitor), and perindopril plus hydrochlorothiazide (ACE-inhibitor+thiazide) on blood pressure variability (V) are unknown.

Methods: We calculated the blood pressure variability (BPV) in 405 patients (130, 146, and 129 randomized to ACE-inhibitor+thiazide, CCB+thiazide, and CCB+ACE-inhibitor, respectively) who underwent ambulatory blood pressure monitoring after 6 months of treatment in the Comparisons of Three Combinations Therapies in Lowering Blood Pressure in Black Africans trial (CREOLE) of Black African patients. BPV was calculated using the SD of 30-minute interval values for 24-hour ambulatory BPs and for confirmation using the coefficient of variation.

A Differential Response to Antihypertensive Therapy in African Men and Women: Insights From the CREOLE Trial.

Background: We sought to address the paucity of data to support the evidence-based management of hypertension to achieve optimal blood pressure (BP) control on a sex-specific basis in Africa.

Methods: We undertook a post hoc analysis of the multicenter, randomized CREOLE (Comparison of Three Combination Therapies in Lowering Blood Pressure in Black Africans) Trial to test the hypothesis that there would be clinically important differences in office BP control between African men and women. We compared the BP levels of 397 and 238 hypertensive women (63%, 50.

The (un)discovering of ecology by Alaska Native ecologists.

When do Native students discover ecology and what factors contribute to the low enrollment of diverse students? Addressing such questions is crucial for diversifying science disciplines and the workforce of ecology and geoscience disciplines. Field sciences such as ecology have notably low enrollment of students from underrepresented groups, such as Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, and Native American or Alaska Natives. Here we discuss the factors that affect Native students and provide strategies to improve recruitment and retention of Native students in the sciences.

Pharmacokinetic profile and safety of adjusted doses of darunavir/ritonavir with rifampicin in people living with HIV.

Background: Darunavir/ritonavir is better tolerated than lopinavir/ritonavir and has a higher genetic barrier to resistance. Co-administration with rifampicin has been contraindicated as a significant reduction in darunavir exposure is expected. This is a barrier to darunavir/ritonavir use where TB is endemic.

Comparison of Dual Therapies for Lowering Blood Pressure in Black Africans.

Background: The prevalence of hypertension among black African patients is high, and these patients usually need two or more medications for blood-pressure control. However, the most effective two-drug combination that is currently available for blood-pressure control in these patients has not been established.

Methods: In this randomized, single-blind, three-group trial conducted in six countries in sub-Saharan Africa, we randomly assigned 728 black patients with uncontrolled hypertension (≥140/90 mm Hg while the patient was not being treated or was taking only one antihypertensive drug) to receive a daily regimen of 5 mg of amlodipine plus 12.