( MILAN Italy June 15 /CNW/ - Today A...)New Study Shows That telmisartan has Greater Renoprotective,Potential Thanlosartan in Hypertensive Patients With Type 2,Diabetes,Health

MILAN, Italy, June 15 /CNW/ - Today AMADEO, one of the first studies to compare the protective potential of two angiotensin receptor blockers in hypertensive patients with diabetic nephropathy, was presented at the European Society of Hypertension, Milan. The results from this study show that telmisartan reduces proteinuria to a significantly greater extent than losartan.(1)

Commenting on the results, Prof. Ellen Burgess, Foothills Hospital in Calgary, Canada said "The AMADEO results are encouraging for an increasing number of patients with type 2 diabetes because they suggest that telmisartan could improve renoprotection. It is particularly interesting that the observed effect was seen despite the study being controlled for blood pressure." She continued, "telmisartan has already shown superior blood pressure lowering compared to losartan and, in AMADEO, patients were allowed to take other medication, if needed, to ensure similar blood pressure in both treatment groups. This suggests that the protective benefits seen with telmisartan here are an additional attribute beyond its established blood pressure lowering effects."

Diabetic nephropathy is a kidney disease that occurs in approximately one third of patients with diabetes mellitus(2). These study results could, therefore, have a positive impact on millions of type 2 diabetes patients as well as healthcare systems worldwide. The prevalence of diabetes is projected to increase at an alarming rate from 171 million in 2000 to 366 million by 2030(3), with the upsurge in obesity closely linked to increased type 2 diabetes. Over time, diabetic nephropathy can lead to end-stage renal disease, a serious condition that needs dialysis and increased medical care and resources. End-stage renal disease has tripled in prevalence over the past two decades(4) and has huge associated healthcare costs, predicted to be US$28 billion by 2010 in the US alone(5).
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