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Cholesterol imperils many diabetics, experts say
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Adults with type 2 diabetes who have
just one additional risk factor for heart disease should be taking
medication to lower cholesterol levels, according to new guidelines
from the American College of Physicians (ACP).
Dr. Vincenza Snow and members of the Clinical Efficacy Assessment
Subcommittee of the ACP based their recommendations, reported in
the Annals of Internal Medicine, on the results of 12 lipid-lowering
studies that contained information about outcomes for people with
diabetes.
Pooled data from the 12 studies indicated that so-called statin
drugs (e.g., Lipitor, Zocor or Crestor), along with another lipid-lowering
agent gemfibrozil, lead to a greater than 20 percent reduction in
major heart-related events in patients with diabetes.
"This is life-saving information," Snow commented in
an ACP press statement. "In addition to controlling blood sugar
levels, people with diabetes may be surprised to know that they
must also be vigilant about controlling their blood pressure and
cholesterol levels."
Snow, of the ACP in Philadelphia, and her team recommend lipid-lowering
therapy for all patients with diabetes and known coronary disease.
Such treatment is also advised for patients with any significant
risk factor for heart disease, including age older than 55 years,
high blood pressure, smoking, enlargement of the left ventricle
of the heart, previous stroke, and peripheral arterial disease.
The only patients with diabetes for whom these drugs seemed to
provide little benefit were those with no risk factors for cardiovascular
disease.
The researcher also found that statins were extremely safe.
SOURCE: Annals of Internal Medicine, April 20, 2004.
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