Prospective, randomised, multicentre trial of effect of protein restriction on progression of chronic renal insufficiency

A multicentre, prospective trial was organised to clarify the role of protein restriction in the progression of chronic renal insufficiency (CRI). 456 adult patients were assigned either a low-protein diet (0·6 g/kg body weight daily; n=226) or a "normal" controlled-protein diet (1·0 g/kg daily; n=230) and were stratified into three groups (A-C) with increasing baseline plasma creatinine concentrations. Each patient was followed up for 2 years or until an endpoint (a doubling of the baseline plasma creatinine or a need for dialysis) was reached. The difference between the diet groups in cumulative renal survival defined by these endpoints (27 low-protein, 42 controlled-protein) was of borderline significance (p