Effects of intensification of antihypertensive care in diabetic nephropathy

The overall quality of antihypertensive care in diabetic patients in Germany is poor. Only a minority of unselected hypertensive patients reach permanent normotensive blood pressure control. Previously, we have shown in a prospective randomized 3-year follow-up study in essential hypertension that implementation of a hypertension teaching and treatment program into routine care results in a significant improvement of blood pressure control. Subsequently, we have performed a prospective, controlled 5-year follow-up trial in hypertensive type I diabetic patients with nephropathy. One-half of a sequential sample of about 100 hypertensive patients with overt nephropathy participated in the program based on blood pressure self-monitoring with the goal of normalization of blood pressure values below 140/90 mm Hg (intensified care, IC). The remaining patients followed routine antihypertensive therapy and formed the control group (routine care, RC). During 5 years of follow-up in IC group patients, blood pressure control was significantly improved. The occurrence of primary study end points (need for dialysis and death) was significantly lower in the IC group patients. In conclusion, in patients with diabetic nephropathy, participation in a hypertension teaching treatment program results in a long-term improvement of blood pressure control and a decrease in mortality and morbidity.