Prevention of microalbuminuria using early intervention with renin-angiotensin system inhibitors in patients with type 2 diabetes: A systematic review

HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Early prevention of diabetic nephropathy by way of blocking the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in patients with normoalbuminuria seems rational, but trials have so far shown conflicting results. The present meta-analysis was undertaken to investigate if such treatment can prevent development of microalbuminuria.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library (2 June 2014) for randomised controlled trials, with a population of patients with type 2 diabetes and normoalbuminuria, comparing angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEis) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) to placebo. Studies had to have at least 50 participants in each arm and one year of follow-up. Random and fixed effect models were performed as well as trial sequential analysis.

RESULTS: Six trials were included in the analysis (n=16,921). Overall risk of bias was variable. In a fixed model analysis ACE or ARB treatment was superior to placebo in relation to prevention of development of microalbuminuria, risk ratio 0.84 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.79-0.88) p<0.001, I(2)=23%, similar to random model results. Treatment also showed a trend towards a reduction in all-cause mortality(p=0.07).

CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that in patients with type 2 diabetes and normoalbuminuria, early intervention with ACEis or ARBs reduces the risk for development of microalbuminuria.