LONG-TERM REDUCTION OF MICROALBUMINURIA AFTER 3 YEARS OF ANGIOTENSIN-CONVERTING ENZYME-INHIBITION BY PERINDOPRIL IN HYPERTENSIVE INSULIN-TREATED DIABETIC-PATIENTS

We studied the long-term effects of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor perindopril, administered for 36 months on glycemic control, creatinine clearance, and albuminuria in hypertensive insulin-treated diabetics. After 1 month treatment with placebo, 39 patients entered the study and received 4-8 mg perindopril/day. Within the first 3 months, diastolic blood pressure was normalized in 80% of the patients. From these, 23 were followed during a total of 3 years on perindopril therapy, and divided in three groups according to their initial urinary albumin excretion rate (AER): 11 had normal AER (< 15 mg/24 hours), eight had microalbuminuria (AER 15-150 mg/24 hours), and four had AER > 150 mg/24 hours and had overt proteinuria. Long-term (3 years) diastolic blood pressure normalization (less-than-or-equal-to 90 mm Hg) was achieved throughout the study. Concomitant with blood pressure reduction, a long-term decrease in AER was observed in normo- and microalbuminuric patients. Macroproteinuria was unaffected by perindopril. Glycemic control and creatinine clearance remained stable during the whole study period. No major side effects were observed. We conclude that perindopril safely produces a long-term normalization of elevated blood pressure in hypertensive insulin-treated diabetics without affecting glycemic control. Blood pressure normalization is associated with long-term AER reduction in normo- and microalbuminuric patients.