Background
In HIV infected patients there is increasing evidence of hypertension and microalbuminuria, two important risk factors for renal and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Anti-hypertensive drugs inhibiting the renin-angiotensin system exert an antiproteinuric effect. Telmisartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker partial agonist of the PPAR-γ approved for the treatment of hypertension, seems to exert a nephro-protective effect independent of blood pressure reduction in the general population. Aim of the study was to evaluate kidney-protective effects of telmisartan in hypertensive HIV+patients with microalbuminuria.