[Beta blockers and diuretics: therapeutic drugs of first choice in diabetes mellitus and hypertension].

Patients with diabetes mellitus have a exaggerated risk for cardio- and cerebrovascular complications. Hypertension is very common in these patients. To date, betablockers and diuretics are the only antihypertensive agents for which a reduction of cardio- and cerebrovascular mortality and morbidity in patients with or without diabetes mellitus has been proven. Metabolic effects of these substances are clinically irrelevant or non existent. Proposed advantages of the newer antihypertensive agents, such as reduction of insulin resistance or a specific nephroprotective effect of ACE-inhibitors, has not been proven yet in a scientific way.