Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors reduce albuminuria more than angiotensin receptor blockers in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Objective: This study retrospectively compared the effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) versus angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) as classes with respect to overall mortality and cardiovascular and renal events in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: An electronic database of medical records was reviewed. A total of 16,489 patients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled and divided into ACEI (n = 12,351) or ARB (n = 4,138) groups. Baseline patient characteristics were compared using univariable analysis. A chi-square test was used for categorical outcomes, and the propensity class was calculated using multivariable logistic regression. Survival analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of ACEIs/ARBs on overall survival, coronary artery disease (CAD), and renal events via Cox regression analysis, adjusting for propensity class and baseline variables. All statistical analyses were conducted using R 2.15.1 software.

Results: No significant differences in overall survival (P = .16) and CAD (P = .81) events were observed between groups. With respect to renal events, ARBs increased the risk of creatinine doubling compared with ACEIs, but the difference was not significant (hazard ratio [HR], 1.207; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.921-1.583; P = .173). Patients who received ARBs had a significantly higher rate of albuminuria than patients who received ACEIs (HR, 1.303; 95% CI, 1.053-1.612; P = .015).

Conclusion: The early effects of ACEIs and ARBs on albuminuria outcome seem to be different in type 2 diabetes, favoring the use of ACEIs. A well-designed prospective study is warranted to evaluate this finding.