Remission of nephrotic-range albuminuria in type 1 diabetic patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the cumulative incidence of nephrotic-range albuminuria (NRA), the frequency of remission, and the impact on progression, we analyzed data from a prospective cohort study of type 1 diabetic patients with diabetic nephropathy.


METHODS
All of the albuminuric type 1 diabetic patients (n = 321, 121 women), who had at least yearly measurements of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) with a (51)Cr-EDTA plasma clearance technique and were followed for at least 3 years, were evaluated. NRA, defined as persistent albuminuria >2,500 mg/24 h, occurred in 126 patients (35 women) aged (mean +/- SD) 34 +/- 8 years, with duration of diabetes 22 +/- 8 years and follow-up time from onset of NRA (median [range]) 8.7 (3.0-20.9) years. Remission of NRA was defined as sustained albuminuria <600 mg/24 h for at least 1 year.


RESULTS
The cumulative incidence of NRA was 39%. Remission was induced in 28 of 126 (22%) patients; 21 were predominantly treated with ACE inhibitors, 7 with non-ACE inhibitor medications. Remission lasted 3.6 (1.0-18.1) years. More women (37%) than men (16%) obtained remission (P = 0.01). In the remission group compared with the no-remission group, mean arterial blood pressure (mean +/- SEM) was reduced (102 +/- 1 vs. 106 +/- 1 mmHg, P < 0.01), the rate of decline in GFR was diminished (3.8 +/- 0.6 vs. 7.5 +/- 0.5 ml x min(-1) x year(-1), P < 0.001), and serum cholesterol was lower (5.3 +/- 0.2 vs. 6.1 +/- 0.1 mmol/l, P < 0.01) during the whole follow-up period. No difference in glycemic control was found between groups (HbA(1c) 9.2 vs. 9.4%, NS).


CONCLUSIONS
In contrast to observations made before the use of antihypertensive treatment, our prospective observational study suggests that aggressive antihypertensive treatment with and without ACE inhibitors can induce long-lasting remission in a sizeable fraction of type 1 diabetic patients with NRA. The group of patients obtaining remission is characterized by slow progression of diabetic nephropathy and improved cardiovascular risk profile.
Hovind
P
P
Steno Diabetes Center, Gentofte, Denmark. phovind@dadlnet.dk
Rossing
P
P
Tarnow
L
L
Toft
H
H
Parving
J
J
Parving
H H
HH
D000328:Adult; D000419:Albuminuria / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D008297:Male; D009401:Nephrosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000503:physiopathology; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013997:Time Factors
D002784:Cholesterol