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Efficacy and Safety of a Quadruple Ultra-low-dose Treatment for Hypertension

A Double Blind Randomized Controlled Trial to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of a Quadruple Ultra-low-dose Treatment for Hypertension (QUARTET USA)

Status
Completed
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03640312
Acronym
QUARTET USA
Enrollment
62
Registered
2018-08-21
Start date
2019-08-30
Completion date
2024-07-31
Last updated
2025-01-03

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Hypertension

Keywords

Hypertension, Blood Pressure

Brief summary

To investigate, in a double-blind randomized controlled trial, whether initiating treatment with ultra-low-dose quadruple-combination therapy (LDQT) will lower office blood pressure more effectively, and with fewer side effects, compared to initiating standard dose monotherapy as per current guidelines in patients with hypertension. Primary hypothesis: A combination pill comprising four types of blood pressure lowering medications, each at one-quarter standard doses, will lower office blood pressure more effectively than initiating patients with standard dose monotherapy as per contemporary clinical practice guideline recommendations.

Detailed description

This trial will investigate whether initiating treatment with ultra-low-dose quadruple-combination therapy (LDQT; including candesartan 2 mg, amlodipine 1.25 mg, indapamide 0.625 mg, and bisoprolol 2.5 mg) will lower automated office blood pressure and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure at 12 weeks more effectively, and with no increase in side effects, compared to initiating standard dose monotherapy (candesartan 8 mg) in adults with raised blood pressure (SBP\>130 mmHg or DBP\>80 mmHg) and without cardiovascular disease. Our preliminary data from a short-term (4-week) crossover trial of 18 participants suggest that LDQT lowers office blood pressure by 22/13 mmHg on average compared with placebo with no difference in serious adverse events. Effects on 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure were similar. The investigators will perform this phase II, single site, randomized controlled trial in a network of federally qualified health centers in Chicago because this population bears a disproportionate burden of blood pressure related diseases, and the investigators have previously successfully conducted clinical studies in this population. While the investigators hypothesize this intervention will be easily implemented and efficacious for all patients and clinicians, the investigators will explore variation in treatment effect by potential moderating variables, including age, sex, race/ethnicity, and health literacy level. Beyond examining efficacy, the investigators also plan to assess feasibility of implementing this intervention in a clinical setting by simultaneously evaluating implementation outcomes of acceptability, preferences, and lessons of LDQT among patients and clinicians.

Interventions

DRUGQUARTET LDQT

Ultra-low-dose combination therapy comprising four different blood pressure lowering drugs at 1/4 dosages. Taken once daily for 12 weeks.

DRUGCandesartan

Standard monotherapy of 8mg candesartan. Taken once daily for 12 weeks.

Sponsors

ACCESS Community Health Network
CollaboratorOTHER
University of Sydney
CollaboratorOTHER
Washington University School of Medicine
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Adults (≥18 years) * Spanish or English speaker. * Previous documentation within the past 24 months of hypertension or high blood pressure (SBP 130-179 mmHg or DBP 80-109 mmHg) from general practitioner, pharmacist or health care professional (e.g., medical assistant, physician or nurse). * Either: 1) Untreated (automated) clinic SBP 140-179 or DBP 90-109 mmHg in the last 12 weeks, OR 2) Monotherapy with clinic SBP 130-159 or DBP 85-99 mmHg in the last 12 weeks. * Either: 1) Treatment naïve, OR 2) Currently not on treatment (not take in last 4 weeks), OR 3) Currently taking 1 BP lowering drug (ACE, ARB, CCB, thiazide- or thiazide-like diuretic, BB, MRA, alpha blocker) at any dose. * Research grade blood pressure measurement (baseline mean) SBP\>= 115 mmHg and DBP \>= 60 mmHg

Exclusion criteria

* Known contraindication to candesartan, amlodipine, indapamide or bisoprolol. * Previous diagnosis of coronary artery disease, stroke, or heart failure. * Presence of significant proteinuria (based on 3+ proteinuria via spot urinalysis or \>300mg/dL of proteinuria based on random urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio testing of 300 mg/g) * Evidence of secondary cause of hypertension e.g., renal artery stenosis; significant renal impairment (eGFR \<50 ml/min/1.73 m2), raised serum potassium (above lab normal limit of 5.5 mEq/L). * Women who are pregnant, breast feeding or of childbearing potential and are not using and do not plan to continue using medically acceptable form of contraception throughout the study (pharmacological or barrier methods). * Concomitant illness, physical impairment or mental condition which in the opinion of the study team / primary care physician could interfere with the conduct of the study including outcome assessments. * Participation in a concurrent interventional medical investigation or pharmacologic clinical trial. Patients in observational, natural history or epidemiological studies not involving an intervention are eligible. * Participant's responsible primary care or other responsible physician believes it is not appropriate for participant to switch current monotherapy. * Inability or unwillingness to provide written informed consent. * Unable to complete study procedures.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Mean Systolic Blood Pressure12 weeksMean change (from baseline) in automated office systolic blood pressure adjusted for baseline values.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Mean Diastolic Blood Pressure6 weeksMean change (from baseline) in automated office diastolic blood pressure adjusted for baseline values.
Mean Diastolic Blood Pressure6 weeksMean automated office diastolic blood pressure adjusted for baseline values.
Proportion of Patients With Hypertension Control6 and 12 weeksProportion of patients with hypertension control (percent with SBP \< 130 mmHg and DBP \<80 mmHg).
Number of Patients Requiring Step up Treatment6 weeksNumber of patients requiring step-up treatment.
Proportion of Patients With Adverse Event Free Hypertension Control12 weeksProportion of patients with adverse event free hypertension control (percent with SBP \< 130 mmHg and DBP \<80 mmHg).
Medication Adherence12 weeksMedication adherence defined by objective pill counts
Health-related Quality of Life12 weeksMean change (from baseline) in health-related quality of life using Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Global Health instrument. PROMIS Global Health is a gauge of general health-care related quality of life. Possible PROMIS Global Physical Health and Global Mental Health scores range from 0-20, with 20 indicating best possible state of health. Raw scores are converted to T-scores to compare to a standardized population. A PROMIS T-score of 50 represents the mean of the population (SD = 10). Higher values here also indicate better health. A positive change in T score, as reported in this outcome measure, would represent an improvement in Global Physical Health or Global Mental Health at 12 weeks compared to baseline.
Change in Mean Systolic Blood Pressure6 weeksMean change (from baseline) in automated office systolic blood pressure adjusted for baseline values.
Mean Systolic Blood Pressure6 weeksMean automated office systolic blood pressure adjusted for baseline values.

Other

MeasureTime frameDescription
Rate of Adverse Events of Special Interest12 weeksRate of pre-specified adverse events that are known side effects of active ingredients at the participant level.
Mean Change in Serum Potassium12 weeksMean change (from baseline) in continuous serum potassium.
Mean Change in Serum Sodium12 weeksMean change (from baseline) in continuous serum sodium.
Mean Change in Blood Urea Nitrogen12 weeksMean change (from baseline) in continuous blood urea nitrogen.
Mean Change in Serum Creatinine12 weeksMean change in continuous serum creatinine.
Percentage of Participants With Potentially Related Adverse Events12 weeksPercentage of participants with occurrence of any potentially related adverse event (pre-specified as in study procedures). Defined as: At least possibly related to study drug.
Percentage of Participants With Serious Adverse Events (SAEs)12 weeksPercentage of participants with any Serious Adverse Events (SAE) according to Good Clinical Practice definition: adverse events that result in death, are life threatening, require hospitalization or prolong existing hospitalization, result in persistent disability, result in congenital anomaly or birth defect, or unimportant medical event that requires intervention to prevent any of the above.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Recruitment details

120 were consented and assessed for eligibility. 58 were excluded for not meeting either inclusion or exclusion criteria, declining participation, or not showing up for randomization visits. Thus, these 58 individuals were not randomized, and 62 participants were randomized

Pre-assignment details

NA - all enrolled participants were randomized.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
QUARTET LDQT
Patients randomized to the intervention arm took a once daily ultra-low-dose quadruple combination therapy (QUARTET LDQT). The LDQT is an overencapsulated combination pill comprising four types of blood pressure lowering medications each at ¼ standard doses. QUARTET includes candesartan 2mg, amlodipine besylate 1.25mg, indapamide 0.625mg, and bisoprolol 2.5mg. The individual components are currently approved and marketed within the United States. QUARTET LDQT: Ultra-low-dose combination therapy comprising four different blood pressure lowering drugs at 1/4 dosages. Taken once daily for 12 weeks.
32
Candesartan
Patients randomized to the comparison arm took a once daily 8mg candesartan. Candesartan: Standard monotherapy of 8mg candesartan. Taken once daily for 12 weeks.
30
Total62

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000FG001
Overall StudyLost to Follow-up36

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicQUARTET LDQTCandesartanTotal
Age, Continuous52 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 12.6
52 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.5
52 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.5
Body Mass Index, kg/m^233 kg/m^2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 6.9
34 kg/m^2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.9
34 kg/m^2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.3
Diastolic Blood Pressure, mm Hg84.3 mm Hg
STANDARD_DEVIATION 9.6
84.3 mm Hg
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.5
84.3 mm Hg
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.5
Heart rate, beats per minute71.5 beats per minute
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10
71.7 beats per minute
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.7
71.6 beats per minute
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.8
History of depression, n (%)7 Participants9 Participants16 Participants
History of diabetes, n (%)10 Participants7 Participants17 Participants
History of smoking, n (%)11 Participants9 Participants20 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Race/Ethnicity
Black/Sub Saharan African
4 Participants7 Participants11 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Race/Ethnicity
Hispanic
24 Participants21 Participants45 Participants
Race/Ethnicity, Customized
Race/Ethnicity
White/Caucasian/Other
4 Participants2 Participants6 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
15 Participants13 Participants28 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
17 Participants17 Participants34 Participants
Systolic Blood Pressure, mm Hg137.6 mm Hg
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.8
138.7 mm Hg
STANDARD_DEVIATION 10.8
138.1 mm Hg
STANDARD_DEVIATION 11.2
Weekly alcohol use, n (%)10 Participants9 Participants19 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 320 / 30
other
Total, other adverse events
20 / 3214 / 30
serious
Total, serious adverse events
2 / 320 / 30

Outcome results

Primary

Change in Mean Systolic Blood Pressure

Mean change (from baseline) in automated office systolic blood pressure adjusted for baseline values.

Time frame: 12 weeks

Population: Modified intent to treat whereby all those participants with data at any follow-up time point and baseline to contribute to analyses will be included in analyses according to arm to which they were randomized, regardless of adherence to the study protocol.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)
QUARTET LDQTChange in Mean Systolic Blood Pressure-15.65 mm Hg
CandesartanChange in Mean Systolic Blood Pressure-10.87 mm Hg
p-value: 0.11495% CI: [-10.74, 1.18]Mixed Models Analysis
Secondary

Change in Mean Diastolic Blood Pressure

Mean change (from baseline) in automated office diastolic blood pressure adjusted for baseline values.

Time frame: 6 weeks

Population: Modified intent to treat whereby all those participants with data at any follow-up time point and baseline to contribute to analyses will be included in analyses according to arm to which they were randomized, regardless of adherence to the study protocol.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)
QUARTET LDQTChange in Mean Diastolic Blood Pressure-11.60 mm Hg
CandesartanChange in Mean Diastolic Blood Pressure-6.74 mm Hg
Comparison: Adjusted for baseline diastolic blood pressure.p-value: 0.01295% CI: [-8.62, -1.11]Mixed Models Analysis
Secondary

Change in Mean Systolic Blood Pressure

Mean change (from baseline) in automated office systolic blood pressure adjusted for baseline values.

Time frame: 6 weeks

Population: Modified intent to treat whereby all those participants with data at any follow-up time point and baseline to contribute to analyses will be included in analyses according to arm to which they were randomized, regardless of adherence to the study protocol.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)
QUARTET LDQTChange in Mean Systolic Blood Pressure-15.65 mm Hg
CandesartanChange in Mean Systolic Blood Pressure-10.87 mm Hg
Comparison: Linear mixed model. Random participant effects. Fixed baseline systolic, study arm, and time effects.p-value: 0.11495% CI: [-10.74, 1.182]Mixed Models Analysis
Secondary

Health-related Quality of Life

Mean change (from baseline) in health-related quality of life using Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Global Health instrument. PROMIS Global Health is a gauge of general health-care related quality of life. Possible PROMIS Global Physical Health and Global Mental Health scores range from 0-20, with 20 indicating best possible state of health. Raw scores are converted to T-scores to compare to a standardized population. A PROMIS T-score of 50 represents the mean of the population (SD = 10). Higher values here also indicate better health. A positive change in T score, as reported in this outcome measure, would represent an improvement in Global Physical Health or Global Mental Health at 12 weeks compared to baseline.

Time frame: 12 weeks

Population: Data are available on only 28 participants in the intervention group for the mental health T score.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)Dispersion
QUARTET LDQTHealth-related Quality of LifeChange in Physical Health T score (PROMIS)1.28 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 7.48
QUARTET LDQTHealth-related Quality of LifeChange in Mental Health T score (PROMIS)2.86 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 6.25
CandesartanHealth-related Quality of LifeChange in Physical Health T score (PROMIS)5.99 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 6.97
CandesartanHealth-related Quality of LifeChange in Mental Health T score (PROMIS)2.76 score on a scaleStandard Deviation 7.63
Comparison: Statistical test for difference in Physical Health T Scorep-value: 0.0995% CI: [-7.49, 0.59]ANCOVA
Comparison: Statistical test for difference in Mental Health T Scorep-value: 0.7795% CI: [-3.22, 4.32]ANCOVA
Secondary

Mean Diastolic Blood Pressure

Mean automated office diastolic blood pressure adjusted for baseline values.

Time frame: 6 weeks

Population: Modified intent to treat whereby all those participants with data at any follow-up time point and baseline to contribute to analyses will be included in analyses according to arm to which they were randomized, regardless of adherence to the study protocol.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)
QUARTET LDQTMean Diastolic Blood Pressure73.01 mm Hg
CandesartanMean Diastolic Blood Pressure77.88 mm Hg
p-value: 0.01295% CI: [-8.62, -1.11]Mixed Models Analysis
Secondary

Mean Systolic Blood Pressure

Mean automated office systolic blood pressure adjusted for baseline values.

Time frame: 6 weeks

Population: Modified intent to treat whereby all those participants with data at any follow-up time point and baseline to contribute to analyses will be included in analyses according to arm to which they were randomized, regardless of adherence to the study protocol.

ArmMeasureValue (LEAST_SQUARES_MEAN)
QUARTET LDQTMean Systolic Blood Pressure122.37 mm Hg
CandesartanMean Systolic Blood Pressure127.15 mm Hg
p-value: 0.11495% CI: [-10.74, 1.18]Mixed Models Analysis
Secondary

Medication Adherence

Medication adherence defined by objective pill counts

Time frame: 12 weeks

Population: Modified intent to treat whereby all those participants with data at any follow-up time point and baseline to contribute to analyses will be included in analyses according to arm to which they were randomized, regardless of adherence to the study protocol.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
QUARTET LDQTMedication Adherence21 Participants
CandesartanMedication Adherence21 Participants
Comparison: Logistic regression model adjusting for baseline systolic and diastolic blood pressure.p-value: 0.43795% CI: [0.21, 1.98]Regression, Logistic
Secondary

Number of Patients Requiring Step up Treatment

Number of patients requiring step-up treatment.

Time frame: 6 weeks

Population: Modified intent to treat whereby all those participants with data at any follow-up time point and baseline to contribute to analyses will be included in analyses according to arm to which they were randomized, regardless of adherence to the study protocol.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
QUARTET LDQTNumber of Patients Requiring Step up Treatment6 Participants
CandesartanNumber of Patients Requiring Step up Treatment16 Participants
Comparison: Logistic regression model adjusting for baseline systolic and diastolic blood pressure.p-value: 0.00395% CI: [0.03, 0.48]Regression, Logistic
Secondary

Proportion of Patients With Adverse Event Free Hypertension Control

Proportion of patients with adverse event free hypertension control (percent with SBP \< 130 mmHg and DBP \<80 mmHg).

Time frame: 12 weeks

Population: Modified intent to treat whereby all those participants with data at any follow-up time point and baseline to contribute to analyses will be included in analyses according to arm to which they were randomized, regardless of adherence to the study protocol.

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
QUARTET LDQTProportion of Patients With Adverse Event Free Hypertension Control6 Participants
CandesartanProportion of Patients With Adverse Event Free Hypertension Control9 Participants
Comparison: Generalized linear mixed model adjusting for baseline systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Random participant effects. Fixed baseline systolic, diastolic, study arm, and time effects.p-value: 0.7195% CI: [0.24, 2.69]Mixed Models Analysis
Secondary

Proportion of Patients With Hypertension Control

Proportion of patients with hypertension control (percent with SBP \< 130 mmHg and DBP \<80 mmHg).

Time frame: 6 and 12 weeks

Population: Modified intent to treat whereby all those participants with data at any follow-up time point and baseline to contribute to analyses will be included in analyses according to arm to which they were randomized, regardless of adherence to the study protocol.

ArmMeasureGroupValue (NUMBER)
QUARTET LDQTProportion of Patients With Hypertension Control6 weeks0.6875 proportion of participants
QUARTET LDQTProportion of Patients With Hypertension Control12 weeks0.6667 proportion of participants
CandesartanProportion of Patients With Hypertension Control6 weeks0.3929 proportion of participants
CandesartanProportion of Patients With Hypertension Control12 weeks0.5769 proportion of participants
p-value: 0.07795% CI: [0.91, 6.35]Mixed Models Analysis
Other Pre-specified

Mean Change in Blood Urea Nitrogen

Mean change (from baseline) in continuous blood urea nitrogen.

Time frame: 12 weeks

Population: Modified intent to treat whereby all those participants with data at any follow-up time point and baseline to contribute to analyses will be included in analyses according to arm to which they were randomized, regardless of adherence to the study protocol.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
QUARTET LDQTMean Change in Blood Urea Nitrogen0.38 mg/dLStandard Deviation 4.23
CandesartanMean Change in Blood Urea Nitrogen-0.40 mg/dLStandard Deviation 7.11
p-value: 0.9495% CI: [-1.84, 1.99]Mixed Models Analysis
Other Pre-specified

Mean Change in Serum Creatinine

Mean change in continuous serum creatinine.

Time frame: 12 weeks

Population: Modified intent to treat whereby all those participants with data at any follow-up time point and baseline to contribute to analyses will be included in analyses according to arm to which they were randomized, regardless of adherence to the study protocol.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
QUARTET LDQTMean Change in Serum Creatinine-0.04 mg/dLStandard Deviation 0.11
CandesartanMean Change in Serum Creatinine-0.04 mg/dLStandard Deviation 0.11
p-value: 0.5595% CI: [-0.07, 0.04]Mixed Models Analysis
Other Pre-specified

Mean Change in Serum Potassium

Mean change (from baseline) in continuous serum potassium.

Time frame: 12 weeks

Population: Modified intent to treat whereby all those participants with data at any follow-up time point and baseline to contribute to analyses will be included in analyses according to arm to which they were randomized, regardless of adherence to the study protocol.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
QUARTET LDQTMean Change in Serum Potassium0.01 mEq/LStandard Deviation 0.42
CandesartanMean Change in Serum Potassium0.02 mEq/LStandard Deviation 0.31
p-value: 0.5695% CI: [-0.24, 0.13]Mixed Models Analysis
Other Pre-specified

Mean Change in Serum Sodium

Mean change (from baseline) in continuous serum sodium.

Time frame: 12 weeks

Population: Modified intent to treat whereby all those participants with data at any follow-up time point and baseline to contribute to analyses will be included in analyses according to arm to which they were randomized, regardless of adherence to the study protocol.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)Dispersion
QUARTET LDQTMean Change in Serum Sodium-0.81 mEq/LStandard Deviation 2
CandesartanMean Change in Serum Sodium-0.15 mEq/LStandard Deviation 2.66
p-value: 0.1295% CI: [-1.61, 0.19]Mixed Models Analysis
Other Pre-specified

Percentage of Participants With Potentially Related Adverse Events

Percentage of participants with occurrence of any potentially related adverse event (pre-specified as in study procedures). Defined as: At least possibly related to study drug.

Time frame: 12 weeks

Population: All randomized participants

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
QUARTET LDQTPercentage of Participants With Potentially Related Adverse Events8 Participants
CandesartanPercentage of Participants With Potentially Related Adverse Events3 Participants
p-value: 0.2195% CI: [-0.33, 0.03]Chi-squared
Other Pre-specified

Percentage of Participants With Serious Adverse Events (SAEs)

Percentage of participants with any Serious Adverse Events (SAE) according to Good Clinical Practice definition: adverse events that result in death, are life threatening, require hospitalization or prolong existing hospitalization, result in persistent disability, result in congenital anomaly or birth defect, or unimportant medical event that requires intervention to prevent any of the above.

Time frame: 12 weeks

Population: All randomized participants

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
QUARTET LDQTPercentage of Participants With Serious Adverse Events (SAEs)2 Participants
CandesartanPercentage of Participants With Serious Adverse Events (SAEs)0 Participants
p-value: 0.4995% CI: [-0.15, 0.02]Fisher Exact
Other Pre-specified

Rate of Adverse Events of Special Interest

Rate of pre-specified adverse events that are known side effects of active ingredients at the participant level.

Time frame: 12 weeks

ArmMeasureValue (COUNT_OF_PARTICIPANTS)
QUARTET LDQTRate of Adverse Events of Special Interest16 Participants
CandesartanRate of Adverse Events of Special Interest10 Participants
p-value: 0.1895% CI: [-0.41, 0.08]Chi-squared

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 13, 2026