Health
Tight glucose control saves the diabetic heart
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted July 4, 2005
When patients with type 1 diabetes keep their blood sugar tightly controlled, the risk of cardiovascular disease is significantly reduced, says a study presented at the American Diabetes Assn. annual scientific sessions in San Diego last month.
This is the latest revelation from the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial, which already has revealed that when those with diabetes keep blood glucose as close to normal as possible, they are less likely to experience eye, nerve and kidney damage. These latest data revealed that 52 of the patients receiving usual care experienced 98 cardiovascular events. Only 31 of the patients receiving the intensive intervention experienced a total of 46 events.
"The longer we follow patients, the more we're impressed by the lasting benefits of tight glucose control," said Saul Genuth, MD, one of the authors and professor of medicine at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/07/04/hlbf0704.htm.
