Definitions for the levels of evidence (I–IV) can be found at the end of the "Major Recommendations" field.
Guidelines
A small volume of evidence suggests that all patients with renal involvement from diabetes should restrict protein intake to 0.75 g/kg/day (World Health Organization [WHO] recommended minimum safe daily intake). The expected benefit is modest in comparison with the benefits of good blood pressure (BP) control and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) therapy. There is Level I evidence for Type 1 diabetes with microalbuminuria or overt nephropathy. Evidence is lacking in Type 2 diabetes with established diabetic nephropathy.
Definitions:
Levels of Evidence
Level I: Evidence obtained from a systematic review of all relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
Level II: Evidence obtained from at least one properly designed RCT
Level III: Evidence obtained from well-designed pseudo-randomized controlled trials (alternate allocation or some other method); comparative studies with concurrent controls and allocation not randomized, cohort studies, case-control studies, interrupted time series with a control group; comparative studies with historical control, two or more single arm studies, interrupted time series without a parallel control group
Level IV: Evidence obtained from case series, either post-test or pretest/post-test
