[Improved glucose regulation and microalbuminuria/proteinuria in diabetic patients treated with ACE inhibitors. A meta-analysis of published studies of 1985-1990].

In patients with diabetes mellitus, metabolic control, hypertension and kidney function are important prognostic factors. In this respect ACE inhibitors exhibit, according to previous publications, a potentially beneficial effect on diabetic patients. To further clarify this effect of ACE inhibitors, a meta-analysis of 21 studies of type I and II diabetics under therapy with ACE inhibitors was performed. Altogether 325 cases were analyzed. The duration of diabetes varied between 2.5 and 22 years. Therapy with ACE inhibitors under long-term treatment (up to 12 months) reduced diastolic blood pressure (-25%) and, both for type I and II diabetics, fasting blood sugar (-14%) and HbA1 (-9%). Microalbuminuria/proteinuria was reduced by 33% under short-term treatment with ACE inhibitors (up to 3 months) and by 66% under long-term treatment. Analysis of the subgroups with microalbuminuria (30-300 mg/day, n = 48) or clinical proteinuria (greater than 300-1500 mg/day, n = 9) showed similar results. The outcome of this meta-analysis shows that the treatment of diabetic patients with ACE inhibitors not only effectively reduces high blood pressure but also reduces microalbuminuria/proteinuria and, in addition, exhibits an anti-hyperglycemic effect by improving blood sugar levels.