recent study has found no consensus on the diagnostic cutoff
levels, sampling procedures and on the units used in
laboratory reports when reporting on proteinuria.36
The recommendations for the treatment of hypertension
and proteinuria were consistent in that they recommended
ACEi or ARB as first line therapy. However, there were
explicit inconsistencies in the regimens recommended. Some
guidelines recommended ACEi or ARB as monotherapy but
other guidelines recommended that they be used in combination.
Combination therapy is no longer recommended as
recent studies have shown that patients on combined ACEi
and ARB therapy were at increased risk of cardiovascular
death, increased risk of hypotension, syncope, renal dysfunction
and hyperkalaemia.37,38 This evidence, however, was not
available at the time of guideline development for most of
the guidelines. There were also inconsistencies in the agents
recommended for use as second and third line therapy which
may be explained by the limited evidence on the efficacy of
combined treatment with other agents including nondihydropyridine
CCB and thiazide diuretics. Blood pressure
targets varied depending on the presence of other risk
factors, such as: diabetes; over 50 or under 50 years of age;
proteinuria 1 g/day; or ACR >500 mg/g. Current evidence
suggests that a blood pressure target below 125/75 to 130/
80 mmHg provides no extra benefit than a target of