Benefits of intensive glucose treatment must be weighed against risks
June 30th, 2010 - 2:30 pm ICT by ANILondon, June 30 (ANI): Scientists have cautioned that the benefits of intensive glucose therapy for diabetics need to be balanced against the increase in total and cardiovascular disease-related death, increased weight gain, and high risk for severe low blood sugar.
The study was aimed to determine whether intensive blood glucose (sugar) control worked better than standard blood sugar control among diabetics.
Dr. Faramarz Ismail-Beigi, a diabetes specialist with University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, and colleagues conducted a study that examined patients who underwent intensive glucose-lowering treatment for 3.5 years.
The results did not see a reduced incidence of cardiovascular disease, or risk of progression in kidney failure, major vision loss, or advanced peripheral neuropathy, reports the Lancet.
There were some micro vascular improvements - reduced incidences of albuminuria in the intensive group, compared to those receiving standard treatment, along with fewer cataract extractions during the study period.
Visual acuity (sharpness of vision) and nerve function also improved for these patients.
Ismail-Beigi cautions that deciding the aggressiveness of therapy depends on what stage of the disease patients are in - for patients who are newly diagnosed with diabetes, intensive, aggressive therapy could delay the onset of some of the complications of diabetes, such as kidney disease and eye problems.
However, for those having diabetes for 10 years or more, intense therapy is associated with higher risk of cardiovascular death. (ANI)
- Two therapies that may slow diabetic eye disease progression found - Jul 24, 2010
- Gene variant that influences chronic kidney disease identified - Mar 10, 2011
- 'Smart' insulin molecule discovered - Apr 13, 2010
- 'Diabetic patients with kidney failure need individualized care' - Jul 30, 2010
- Artificial pancreas controls BP more than 24 hours - Apr 15, 2010
- Intensive glucose control improves complications of longstanding type 1 diabetes - Jul 28, 2009
- Genetic links to kidney disease, kidney failure identified - Jun 27, 2010
- Cell responsible for kidney failure in diabetics found - Oct 06, 2010
- Blood protein levels may predict risk of heart disease - Apr 09, 2011
- High risk of heart disease in preadolescent kids with type 1diabetes - Feb 15, 2011
- Sedentary life style invites heart diseases, cancers - Mar 01, 2012
- Bariatric surgery cuts long-term cardiovascular risk in diabetics - Mar 31, 2011
- Sugared beverages raise heart, diabetes risks for women - Nov 15, 2011
- Routine periodic fasting good for health, heart - Apr 04, 2011
- Diabetes affects about 350 mn adults globally - Jun 26, 2011
Tags: aggressive therapy, albuminuria, blood glucose, blood sugar control, cardiovascular death, case western reserve, case western reserve university, complications of diabetes, diabetes specialist, disease patients, faramarz, intense therapy, intensive group, kidney disease, kidney failure, low blood sugar, nerve function, peripheral neuropathy, university hospitals, western reserve university