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Low-Dose Aspirin Does Not Appear to Reduce Atherosclerotic Events in Type 2 Diabetes
Low-dose aspirin does not appear to reduce atherosclerotic events in adults with type 2 diabetes, according to a JAMA report released online.
Researchers in Japan randomized some 2500 adults with diabetes without atherosclerosis to receive open-label, low-dose aspirin (81 or 100 mg daily) or no aspirin. During roughly 4 years' follow-up, the incidence of any atherosclerotic event did not differ significantly between the aspirin and control groups (13.6 and 17.0 events per 1000 person-years, respectively).
The authors note that the event rate was lower than expected, thus reducing the statistical power of the study. They conclude that their results "should be interpreted in context with the low incidence of atherosclerotic disease in Japan and the current management practice for cardiovascular risk factors," and they call for more research into aspirin's preventive effects in patients with diabetes.
LINK(S):
JAMA article (Free)
JAMA editorial (Free)
American Diabetes Association position statement on medical care of diabetic patients (Free)
Published in Physician's First Watch November 10, 2008
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