[What is new in the treatment of diabetes?--The importance of nephro- and cardioprotective management].

The results of new investigations have demonstrated that the appearance of microalbuminuria (urinary albumin excretion rate, UAER>30 mg/24 h) in patients with diabetes increases constantly in about 30% of them only, leading to development of renal failure. In the majority of patients, the contemporary methods of treatment permit the normalization of UAER or the inhibition of progression to macroalbuminuria (UAER>300 mg/24 h). Therefore the actual diagnostic criterion for diabetic nephropathy consists of demonstration of persistent macroalbuminuria (or proteinuria > 0,5 g/24h) and diabetic retinopathy when other kidney or urinary tract diseases can be excluded. Persistent micro- or macroalbuminuria are contemporary considered as the markers of generalized vascular endothelial damage, reflecting increased vascular wall permeability for albumin, which is early event in development of atherosclerosis. An association of several traditional risk factors for atherogenesis, including elevated blood pressure levels, dyslipidemia, procoagulatory state, chronic inflammation and increased production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), with micro- and macro-albuminuria, was demonstrated. The presence of multiple risk factors for atherogenesis and micro- or macro-albuminuria in patients with diabetes is associated with increased incidence of cardiovascular complications and mortality when compared to normoalbuminuric patients. The effective intervention against all factors involved in the development of vascular changes in patients with diabetes is the main target for therapeutic intervention.