[Orthostatic changes in renal function in diabetic patients with normal arterial pressure and with hypertension]

Glomerular filtration (GF) and renal flow (RF) were measured in 65 patients with compensated diabetes, 38 of them hypertensive. Renal function was normal in normotensive patients with normal urinary findings, when tested in resting supine position. RF and GF were moderately decreased in cases of transitory proteinuria, whereas the decrease was more pronounced in permanent proteinuria. In patients with arterial hypertension, RF and GF were lower, as compared to matched cases with normal blood pressure. Diabetic patients showed a greater RF and GF decrease in orthostatic position, as compared to normal controls. Hypertensive and nephropathic patients showed a still greater orthostatic decrease. In some patients with normal urinary results and normal renal function, the orthostatic RF and GF decrease exceeded the average group one, a fact suggestive of some latent renal changes.