[Blood pressure goals in diabetes. A critical appraisal]

In this article we review the evidence supporting the need to achieve a target blood pressure (BP) under 130-80 mm Hg in diabetic patients, as recent international guidelines recommend (JNC VII, ESH-ESC and ADA). We have analyzed the explicit arguments used in these guidelines, 3 clinical trials designed to determine which is the best BP in diabetics (HOT, UKPDS-38 and ABCD) as well as other potentially misleading clinical trials. In our opinion, neither these 3 specific clinical trials nor other trials quoted in the guidelines (due to results and methodology employed) can answer the question of the best goal of pharmacological treatment for hypertension in diabetics. On the other hand, international agreements are not sufficiently rigorous regarding both the sources mentioned and the direct interpretation of the data provided. We conclude that there is not enough evidence to support the goal pressure below 130/80 mm Hg in patients with diabetes. We insist in the need of individualization of therapy in patients and consider that a under 140/85 mm Hg goal pressure in diabetics is perfectly supported by current evidence.