STITCH2 (Simplified Therapeutic Intervention to Control Hypertension and Hypercholesterolemia)
STITCH2 (Simplified Therapeutic Intervention to Control Hypertension and Hypercholesterolemia)
The objective of this study is to assess if the implementation of a treatment algorithm
 including initial treatment with a low dose diuretic/ACE-inhibitor or ARB combination and
 subsequently a low dose DHP-CCB/statin combination will improve the management of
 hypertension/hypercholesterolemia compared to guidelines-base management at family practices.
Utilization of fixed dose combination therapy has been advocated as an adherence-enhancing
 strategy and has been so recommended in the 2007 Canadian Hypertension Education Program
 (CHEP) recommendations. Further, in a previous study (STITCH) it was demonstrated that a
 simplified treatment algorithm utilizing initial therapy with a low dose fixed-dose
 combination therapy improved blood pressure control in hypertensive patients. However, the
 effectiveness of either a simplified treatment algorithm or the initial use of fixed dose
 combination therapies for 2 risk factors in hypertensive dyslipidemic patients has yet to be
 determined. Therefore, the current study is designed to determine whether utilization of a
 fixed dose combination hypertension/hypercholesterolemia therapy results in improved
 adherence, patient satisfaction as well as improved rates of reaching target LDL cholesterol
 and blood pressure.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  male or female subjects 18 years or older

 -  documented diagnoses of hypertension and of hypercholesterolemia or current therapy
 for these conditions

 -  uncontrolled hypertension (SBP >140 mmHg or DBP >90 mmHg) or cholesterol levels above
 their threshold based on their global atherosclerotic risk profile (based on ATP III
 assessment)

 -  ability to give written informed consent

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  ischemic heart disease, atrial fibrillation, chronic kidney disease and significant
 liver disease

 -  currently prescribed 3 or more drugs to control blood pressure

 -  currently prescribed 2 or more drugs to control hypercholesterolemia

 -  participating in other hypertension/hypercholesterolemia studies