Irbesartan Reduces Hypertension and Microalbuminuria in Type 2 Diabetes, December 27, 2004

Irbesartan Reduces Hypertension and Microalbuminuria in Type 2 Diabetes, December 27, 2004

The leading cause of death in diabetes is atherosclerosis affecting the heart, kidneys, and brain. Recent data show that among men, the incidence is 18%, and among women, 14%. Among urine tests, the most sensitive indicator of atherosclerosis is microalbumin in the urine, which is positive in 42% of type 2 diabetic patients. In normal individuals, the daily urinary microalbumin level should not exceed 300mg/d; the daily urinary microglobulin level is 150mg/d, exactly twice the microalbumin level, reflecting the ratio of albumin to globulin in the blood. Changes in microalbumin levels are the most sensitive indicators of whether atherosclerosis is progressing or not. Irbesartan not only lowers hypertension in diabetic patients but also significantly reduces daily urinary microalbumin in type 2 diabetics, demonstrating that irbesartan can reduce the degree of atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic patients.