Arterial stiffness and renal impairment in non-proteinuric type 2 diabetic patients

Aims/Introduction: Although increases in urinary protein excretion generally precede a decline in the glomerular filtration rate, non-proteinuric renal impairment is common in patients with diabetes. In the present study, we examined the relationship between indices of arterial stiffness and renal function in type 2 diabetic patients without proteinuria. Methods: Blood sampling, 24-h urine collection, brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity, and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring were performed in type 2 diabetic patients without overt proteinuria. The ambulatory arterial stiffness index was calculated as (1 – the regression slope of diastolic/systolic ambulatory blood pressure). Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)was calculated using the simplified prediction equation proposed by the Japanese Society of Nephrology. Results: Of 213 non-proteinuric patients with type 2 diabetes, 60 (28.2%) had a reduced eGFR (