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How well are hypertension and albuminuria treated in type II diabetic patients?

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 17, pages 413–418 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the management of both hypertension and micro/macroalbuminuria in a cohort of type II diabetic patients. In the first 6 months of the year 2000, 5815 diabetic patients were identified through prescriptions for antidiabetic drugs in our sanitary district (191 568 inhabitants). In all, 65% (3810) of these type II diabetic patients were also given prescriptions for antihypertensive drugs. A total of 400 diabetic patients were randomly selected and 171 entered the study (gender: 94/77 M/F; age: 66.6±8 years; diabetes duration: 12±9 years): 100 patients (group DT) were treated with antihypertensive drugs and 71 (group DU) were untreated. Blood pressure, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), and glycated haemoglobin were measured in the two groups. A total of 80% (57/71) of DU patients were hypertensive (BP≥130/85 mmHg). Specifically, 24.4% had diastolic hypertension (BP≥85 mmHg) and 79% systolic hypertension (BP≥130 mmHg). Only 63% (100/157) of the hypertensive patients were treated with antihypertensive drugs (two drugs/patient on average, range 1–5). In addition, only 13% of the DT patients were adequately controlled (BP<130/85 mmHg), while the others had above target blood pressure levels (14%: 130–139/85–89 mmHg; 40%: 140–159/90–95 mmHg, and 33%≥160/95 mmHg). Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) were included in the antihypertensive medical regimen in 70% of the DT patients (ACE-I: 62%; ARB: 8%; diuretics: 39%; dihydropyridine calcium antagonists: 38%; α-blockers: 20%, β-blockers: 17%; clonidin: 8%; nondihydropyridine calcium antagonists: 5%). Only 33% of type II diabetic patients underwent a screening for microalbuminuria as assessed on clinical records. The same percentage of micro- and macroalbuminuric patients (13.5%) was observed in the DT group, whereas 25% micro vs 3% macro were found in the DU group. In all, 73% of microalbuminuric patients were not on ACE-I/ARB. Hypertensive type II diabetic patients were often left untreated and only a minority of those treated were optimally controlled. The importance of an elevated systolic pressure is underestimated and the number of antihypertensive drugs prescribed insufficient. Screening and treatment of albuminuria are inadequate.

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Acknowledgements

We are indebted to A Abis, C Balducci, D Bianchin, C Branca, MG Bregolin and C Mastella for their skilled nurse assistance; to I Candelma for secretarial work; to Professor P Cavallo-Perin (Department of Internal Medicine, University of Turin, Italy) for his support. V Berti, S Borsa and E Fiorio helped with patient's data collection.

This work was presented as an oral communication at the XXXIX EDTA-ERA Congress, Copenhagen, 14–17 July 2002.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nephrology and Dialysis Unit, San Giovanni Bosco Hospital, Turin, Italy

    R Boero, E Prodi, F Elia, L Porta & F Quarello

  2. Diabetology Unit, San Giovanni Bosco Hospital, Turin, Italy

    S Martelli

  3. Pharmaceutical Service Unit, San Giovanni Bosco Hospital, Turin, Italy

    L Ferraro

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  1. R Boero
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Correspondence to R Boero.

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Boero, R., Prodi, E., Elia, F. et al. How well are hypertension and albuminuria treated in type II diabetic patients?. J Hum Hypertens 17, 413–418 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1001568

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