The short-term effects of angiotensin II receptor blockers on albuminuria and renal function in Korean patients

Abstract

Each angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) asserts independent molecular effects. No study has compared the renoprotective potency of different types of ARBs in Korea. This study evaluated the differences among medications for treating albuminuria. Data were obtained from electronic medical records of adult patients who underwent albuminuria test and received treatment with either angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or ARBs between January 2009 and June 2016. Patients' albuminuria and renal function data were observed for three months after treatment initiation. In total, 1475 patients were included. Patients treated with ACEIs had no significant changes in albuminuria (from 127.7 ± 55.1 mg/g to 46.7 ± 18.7 mg/g, P =.127), but those treated with ARBs showed significant improvement (from 491.2 ± 33.2 mg/g to 372.0 ± 28.0 mg/g, P <60 (from 551.6 ± 100.0 to 392.4 ± 76.2, P =.007). Only irbesartan and candesartan could reduce albuminuria, suggesting that all ARBs do not have the same outcome. This indicates the importance of optimizing ARB selection, considering both patient condition and organ-specific characteristics of medications.