The role of statins in patients with early diabetic nephropathy: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the renoprotective effects of statins on the regulation of urinary oxidative stress markers and proteinuria in patients with diabetic nephropathy. Therefore, we conducted this protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the role of statins in patients with early diabetic nephropathy. METHODS: We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols reporting guidelines to conduct this study. The electronic databases EMBASE, PUBMED, CINAHL, and Web of Science will be searched from the earliest available time to July 2022. The population is defined as participants with early diabetic nephropathy. The Intervention groups are given any one of the statins, such as simvastatin or rosuvastatin. The control groups are treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or placebo alone. The primary outcome is estimated glomerular filtration rate; secondary outcome is serological indicators including triglyceride, cholesterol, C-reactive protein, and complications. The Jadad scale will be used to assess the methodological quality of each study included in this meta-analysis. RESULT & CONCLUSION: We hypothesized that statins would have a positive renoprotective effect in such patients. OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER: 10.17605/OSF.IO/ESMWR.