Efficacy of Telmisartan and the Combination of Telmisartan and Ramipril in type1 Diabetes Patients With Nephropathy

To evaluate the antialbuminuric efficacy of an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) telmisartan and the combination of telmisartan and ramipril in patients with type1 DM and either micro or macroalbuminuria.To evaluate the same drugs for their antihypertensive efficacy and their influence on dipping patterns using ambulatory BP monitoring.

Methods:

Open label cross over study involving 30 patients who were initially treated with telmisartan 80 mg for eight weeks followed by addition of ramipril 10 mg for a further eight weeks. Albuminuria reduction and BP reduction with both clinic and ambulatory BP records were studied at the end of each phase Overnight urine samples of nine hours duration were collected . The volume of urine was verified by measurement in a jar with accuracy of 50ml by the study investigator on every occasion. . Albuminuria was estimated by immuno-turbidimetry Hemocue albumin system Angelholm AD, Sweden (inter assay CV 4.3% ). The albumin excretion rate(AER) at baseline evaluation was determined as the mean AER of the positive urine samples. During subsequent evaluations at the end of 8weeks and at the end of 16 weeks the mean albumin excretion rate from two successive overnight urine samples was taken as the mean .Ambulatory BP (ABP) measurement :ABP was measured using Spacelabs device 90207 Spacelabs inc. use of which is described before(14) .A uniform protocol of inflation once in every 30 min was used. Cuff was applied to the nondominant arm. Recordings were started in all patients between seven and ten AM.

Inclusion criteria

• Diabetes mellitus by ADA criteria
• Clinical history of DKA
• HbA1C < 7.5,urine AER >/= 20 mcg/min on two overnight urine samples

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnancy
• Unwillingness to use contraception during time of study
• Creatinine >3 mg/dl
• Suspected/proven non diabetic nephropathy
• Active urinary sediment