Diabetes and chronic kidney disease: tragedy and challenge.

Management of hypertension in diabetic nephropathy is challenging and generally requires a minimum of three different and complementary antihypertensive agents to achieve the recently recommended blood pressure (BP) goal of <130/80 mm Hg in order to reduce cardiovascular (CV) risk and preserve kidney function. Commonly used antihypertensive combinations include an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker, agents that have compelling indications for use in diabetic renal disease, added to a diuretic, generally a thiazide-type agent. If additional therapy is required, either a beta-blocker or calcium antagonist may be added.