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Protein restriction, glomerular filtration rate and albuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized trial

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 56, pages 1200–1207 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective: Protein restriction delays the progression of non-diabetic and type 1 diabetic renal disorders. This study assessed whether protein restriction delays the onset or early progression of renal disorders in type 2 diabetes.

Design: Randomized controlled trial. Outcomes were albuminuria (mg/24 h) and, as an estimate of the glomerular filtration rate, cimetidine-influenced creatinine clearance.

Setting: Primary care.

Subjects: Patients with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria or at least detectable albuminuria, or a diabetes duration >5 y.

Interventions: The experimental group received dietary counselling on protein restriction (n=63); a control group (n=68) received the usual dietary advice. The duration of intervention and follow-up was 28±7 months.

Results: After 6 months, protein intake differed only by 0.08 g/kg/day between the study groups. Subsequently, this difference decreased and eventually disappeared. An initial effect of protein restriction on albuminuria in favor of the experimental group was not sustained, and the glomerular filtration rate decreased in the experimental group at a 1.6±2.2 ml/min/1.73 m2 y lower rate than in the control group (P=0.5). Comparison of patients in the experimental group with a decrease in protein intake of at least 0.20 g/kg/day, with controls with no decrease, indicated a similarly small and insignificant effect on glomerular filtration rate.

Conclusions: It is concluded that, in the longer term prevention or delay of renal damage in patients with type 2 diabetes, protein restriction is neither feasible nor efficacious.

Sponsorship: Financial support for this study was provided by the Dutch Organization for Scientific Research (NWO, The Hague, grant number 904-58-051) and the Health Research and Development Council (ZON, The Hague, grant number 28-2298). Smithkline & Beecham provided cimetidine (Tagemet®).

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the dieticians Martine de Clercq, José Drijvers, Anneke Droop, Elles Grobbe and Irene Havekes-Kleyweg, who provided dietary counselling for the patients.

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Author notes

  1. LTJ Pijls: Guarantor: LTJ Pijls.

  2. LTJ Pijls, H de Vries, JThM van Eijk and AJM Donker: Contributors: LTJP prepared and coordinated the field work, analyzed the data, and wrote the paper. HdV cooperated in the preparation and organization of the field work. All were involved in designing the study, and all contributed to the writing of the paper.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Research in Extramural Medicine, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    LTJ Pijls & H de Vries

  2. Department of Health Care Studies, Section of Medical Sociology, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    JThM van Eijk

  3. Department of Internal Medicine, Academisch Ziekenhuis Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    AJM Donker

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Correspondence to LTJ Pijls.

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Pijls, L., de Vries, H., van Eijk, J. et al. Protein restriction, glomerular filtration rate and albuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized trial. Eur J Clin Nutr 56, 1200–1207 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601474

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