Relationship between Body Mass Index and Anti-Hypertensive Efficacy of Doxazosin According to a Survey of Japanese Patients

In this cross-sectional study, we surveyed a population of 101 hypertensive patients in Japan to determine the efficacy of the blood pressure lowering effect of α₁-blockers in relation to their body mass index (BMI). We found that doxazosin was frequently administered to obese hypertensive patients; many patients treated with doxazosin were taking concomitant medication. We also demonstrated that the higher the dose of doxazosin, the lower the ambulatory blood pressure measured in the out-patient clinic. Doxazosin showed a more favourable blood pressure lowering effect in patients with a higher BMI. These results suggest that anti-hypertensive drugs are useful when used in obese patients receiving multiple concomitant medications. These patients would normally be considered to show a poor response to anti-hypertensive treatment. Furthermore, we expect the α₁-blocker doxazosin to demonstrate a dose-dependent effect in obese patients with hypertension.