Protein restriction for diabetic renal disease.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether protein restriction slows or prevents progression of diabetic nephropathy towards renal failure.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Computerised databases MEDLINE (1976-1996) and EMBASE (1974-1996) were searched using keywords diabetes mellitus, diabetic nephropathy, dietary proteins, diet, protein restricted and uremia. Recent issues of selected journals (Diabetic Medicine, Diabetologia, Diabetes Care, Kidney International, Nephrology Dialysis and Transplantation) were handsearched for papers not yet in the computerised databases. Reference lists of papers were also checked.

SELECTION CRITERIA

This review was not limited to randomised controlled trials. All trials involving people with insulin-dependent diabetes following a lower protein diet for at least 4 months were considered since the straight line nature of progression as reflected by GFR means that patients can act as their own controls in a before and after comparison.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Data were extracted for length of follow up, level of protein restriction, renal function and dietary compliance. No studies of the impact of protein restriction on outcomes such as the need for dialysis or transplantation were found. The trials reported only the effect on short-term indicators such as creatinine clearance.

MAIN RESULTS

Overall a protein restricted diet (0.3-0. 8g/kg) does appear to slow the progression of diabetic nephropathy towards renal failure.

REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS

The results show that reducing protein intake appears to slow progression to renal failure, but some questions remain unanswered. The first is what level of protein restriction we should be used? The trials aimed for a daily intake of between 0.3 to 0.8g/kg of protein. The second concerns compliance in routine care - what level would be acceptable to patients? The third concerns long term outcomes -the present trials use proxy indicators such as creatinine clearance rather than outcomes such as time to dialysis or prevention of ESRF. All trials were carried out in subjects with insulin-dependent diabetes. It remains to be seen if a lower protein intake would slow the progression of nephropathy affecting the non-insulin dependent diabetic population.