Losartan: lessons learned from the RENAAL study.

Renal and cardiovascular diseases associated with Type 2 diabetes are increasing at rapid rates, and are significant burdens to patients and healthcare systems. The RENAAL (Reduction of Endpoints in NIDDM with the Angiotensin II Antagonist Losartan) study was conducted from 1996 to 2001. This landmark clinical trial provided the opportunity to study renal and cardiovascular outcomes, as well as risk predictors, in a relatively large number of patients with Type 2 diabetes and nephropathy. The RENAAL study also provided information that will be valuable to those designing future clinical trials in this patient population. This review highlights key findings from the RENAAL study.