Early treatment of type 1 diabetes reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

A new study reveals that early and aggressive treatment of type I diabetes leads to a substantial decrease in the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Type I diabetes, which tends to be present at birth or develop early in life, may increase the risk of heart disease and stroke later on. Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and elsewhere now report on a long-term study of patients who took part in a study where aggressive control of diabetes has been compared to more conventional blood sugar control.

The aggressive approach involved insulin pumps, constant glucose monitoring and multiple insulin injections. The first results of this trial were announced in 1993 and showed that the intensive approach prevents or delays eye, nerve and kidney damage. Now a follow up analysis reveals that those undergoing intensive treatment for diabetes have less than half the number of heart attacks and stroke compared with those treated more conventionally. The findings suggest that investing in aggressive, rather than conventional, management of diabetes certainly pays dividends in terms of long-term health.

Source
New England Journal of Medicine 21st December 2005

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