Renal function does not always predictably deteriorate in blind insulin-dependent diabetics with nephropathy

Two insulin-dependent diabetic women with severe retinopathy who were referred for the management of nephrotic syndrome are presented. On the basis of clinical risk factors, such as retinopathy and severe hypertension, both patients were expected to develop progressive end-stage renal failure. One woman has shown a gradual decline in creatinine clearance over 7 years while the plasma creatinine of the other has remained normal for 11 years. The unexpectedly good outcome of both these patients may be related to maintaining a normal blood pressure despite neither patient receiving a prolonged course of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. Because of the efficacy of current antihypertensive therapy, the outcome of diabetic nephropathy cannot be so easily predicted and needs to be formally reassessed.