To assess the role of hypertension and family history of hypertensio n in the development of nephropathy in patients with non insulin dependent dia betes mellitus （NIDDM）.Methods. A retrospective analysis was done on 2 groups of NIDDM patients

one g roup without proteinuria （urine protein< 300mg/24h

n=106） and the other group w ith proteinuria （urine protein≥500mg/24h

n=106）. The 2 groups were matched by age（≤±3yrs）

sex

ethnic and resident place. Some information of these subject s including demographic; history of disease

family history of diseases

lifesty le and behavior style variables was obtained by questionnaire; some variables w ere measured

including systolic blood pressure （SBP）

diastolic blood pressure （DBP）

fasting blood glucose （FBG）

quantity of protein in 24h urine. Then condi tional logistic regression analysis was performed.Results. Some factors

including history of hypertension

longer duration of hy pertension

higher levels of the past highest SBP and DBP

were independently as sociated with the occurrence risk of diabetic nephropathy （DN）. Their correspond ing odd ratios （OR） with 95% confidence intervals （CI） were 2.00（1.17～3.43）

1 .25（1.08～1.46）

1.38（1.15～1.66）

and 1.33（1.09～1.62） respectively

but family history of hypertension was not significantly associated with the development o f DN. When the above mentioned relations were respectively adjusted by some pos sible confounding factors

they still existed.Conclusions. History of hypertension

longer duration of hypertension

higher l evels of the past highest SBP and DBP are independent risk factors for DN in Chi nese NIDDM patients.