Nephropathy is delayed by intensified insulin treatment in patients with insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus and retinopathy*

Abstract

Reichard P, Rosenqvist U (Department of Internal Medicine II, The Southern Hospital, and Stockholm County Council Teaching Centre for Diabetes (LUCD). Stockholm, Sweden). Nephropathy is delayed by intensified insulin treatment in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and retinopathy. Patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and non-proliferative retinopathy were randomized to intensified conventional insulin treatment (ICT, n = 44) or regular treatment (RT, n = 51). During a 3-year period the glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were reduced to a greater extent (P = 0.00001) in the ICT group (from 9.5 ± 0.2 to 7.4%, P = 0.0001) than in the RT group (9.4 ± 0.2 to 9.0 ± 0.2. P = 0.004). The urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER) increased significantly (P = 0.033) in the RT group but not in the ICT group, and the UAER differed significantly (P = 0.031) between the groups after 3 years. The mean HbA1c values during the study period independently influenced the deterioration of UAER levels (P = 0.029). Initial diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.112). the HbA1c value at entry (P = 0.480) and the smoking habits (P = 0.959) were not related to change of UAER levels. Manifest nephropathy after 3 years was seen almost exclusively in patients with HbA1c levels above 9%. Improved blood glucose control, without ‘near normoglycaemia’, delayed the progression of nephropathy in patients with IDDM and retinopathy.