Telmisartan lowers albuminuria in type 2 diabetic patients treated with angiotensin enzyme inhibitors.

PURPOSE Angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) provide renal protection in patients with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria. MATERIAL AND METHODS In the presented study we followed 34 stable, type 2 diabetic patients with persistent albuminuria treated with maximal doses of ACEIs as a part of their anti-hypertensive treatment. Telmisartan--an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)--in a dose of 40 mg was added to the treatment and the patients were observed for 12 weeks. We measured creatinine clearance, 24-hour urinary albumin excretion, before and after 12 weeks of combined therapy. RESULTS The addition of telmisartan resulted in a significant reduction of albuminuria from median 157 to 67 mg/24h. No change in creatinine clearance was observed (93 vs 97 ml/min). CONCLUSION The addition of telmisartan to a maximum dose of ACEI is safe and results in further albuminuria decrease in patients with type 2 diabetes and incipient nephropathy.