Lowering Fats in the Blood Through Medication

---

Efficacy of lipid lowering drug treatment for diabetic and non-diabetic patients: meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials, by J. Costa and colleagues. BMJ: 332:1103-1104, 2006.

What is the problem and what is known about it so far?

Diabetes and cardiovascular disease (disease of the heart and blood vessels) seem to go hand in hand. A person with diabetes has about the same risk of having a heart attack as somebody who doesn't have diabetes but has had a heart attack.

It's important for people with diabetes to reduce their chance of getting heart and blood vessel disease. Methods to reduce heart and blood vessel disease by lowering lipids (fats in the blood) may work differently in people with diabetes than in people without diabetes.

Why did the researchers do this particular study?

The researchers wanted to see whether medicine used to lower fats in the blood acted differently on people with or without diabetes.

Who was studied?

The study included people with diabetes who were treated with lipid-lowering medicines.

How was the study done?

The researchers reviewed published studies that looked into the effect of lipid-lowering medicines on people with diabetes. There were 12 studies altogether.

What did the researchers find?

Lipid-lowering medicines worked at least as well in people with diabetes as in those without the disease -- lowering the risk of heart attack and stroke by 21%. In lowering overall chances of heart and blood vessel disease, the effect of lipid-lowering medicines was greater in people with diabetes as in those without diabetes.

What were the limitations of the study?

The researchers reviewed published studies, rather than conducting a new study. There could be differences in the studies that may weaken the findings of this research. Also, the definition of diabetes changed over the years represented in the studies, which could affect the conclusions of this research.

What are the implications of the study?

Lipid-lowering medicines can have an important effect on lowering the chance of a person with diabetes also getting heart and blood vessel disease. More research is needed to determine when lipid-lowering medicines should be started.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Make the Link! Diabetes, Heart Disease & Stroke

Treating High Cholesterol in People With Diabetes

Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease: A Time to Act