Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were eligible for inclusion.
Specific interventions included in the review
Trials of statins compared with placebo were eligible for inclusion. The included studies were of simvastatin, pravastatin, fluvastatin, cerivastatin, atorvastatin and lovastatin.
Participants included in the review
Studies of adults (older than 18 years) receiving statins were eligible for inclusion. The mean age of the participants in the included studies was 50 years (mean age: 24 to 65). Sixty-four per cent of the participants were men, 57% had diabetes, and 23% had primary renal disease. In some of the studies the participants also received an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor blocker.
Outcomes assessed in the review
Studies measuring albuminuria or proteinuria using timed urine collection to measure 24-hour excretion, or untimed collections to calculate albumin-to-creatinine ratios, were eligible for inclusion. All of the included studies used the 24-hour method.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
Two investigators independently screened studies for inclusion.