Diabetic nephropathy is the most common cause for end-stage renal disease and for patients entering into chronic dialysis care. It occurs in 25–40% of patients with diabetes. Risk factors include hyperglycemia, hypertension, genetic predisposition, glomerular hyperfiltration, proteinuria, the renal renin-angiotensin system, advanced glycation end-products, and possibly reduced nephron number and lipid disorders. Prevention of diabetic nephropathy is crucial. Tight control of diabetes, blood pressure treatment to a systolic pressure of < 130 mmHg, reduction of proteinuria, and treatment with drugs that inhibit the renin-angiotensin system are all associated with the prevention of or delay in progression of diabetic kidney injury.

Yes. Some studies suggest that a group of high blood pressure medicines called ACE inhibitors may help to prevent or delay the progression of diabetic kidney disease. These drugs reduce blood pressure in your body, and they may lower the pressure within the kidney’s filtering apparatus (the glomerulus). They also seem to have beneficial effects that are unrelated to changes in blood pressure. Patients who take these medicines may have less protein in their urine. You may want to speak to your doctor to see if these medicines could help you.