Beta-blockers and diuretics have a well-established role in treating hypertension and are frequently used first-line. However, it is increasingly evident that these medications have harmful metabolic effects. The Pharmacogenomic Evaluation of Antihypertensive Responses (PEAR - NCT00246519) study was a greater than 700 participant, randomized, parallel assignment trial, aimed at determining the genetic factors that influence response to both a beta-blocker (atenolol) and a diuretic (hydrochlorothiazide \[HCTZ\]). The PEAR trial design includes evaluation at baseline, after monotherapy with either medication, and after combination therapy with both medications. This pilot, PEAR sub-study aims to characterize the ability of two diagnostics tests (fasting glucose versus glucose 2-hours after an OGTT) to detect prediabetes development prior to blood pressure medication use, after monotherapy (with atenolol or HCTZ) and after combination therapy (with atenolol and HCTZ).
