Pre-diabetes, insulin resistance, inflammation and CVD risk

There is accumulating evidence that insulin resistance in the pre-diabetic state is associated with the presence of additional cardiovascular risk factors and increased incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). There is also accumulating evidence indicating that chronic sub-clinical inflammation as measured by such inflammatory markers as C-reactive protein (CRP) is associated with insulin resistance and other features of the insulin resistance syndrome, increased risk of development of type 2 diabetes and increased cardiovascular event risk. Insulin-sensitizing agents may have greater effects in reducing cardiovascular risk than secretagogues in the pre-diabetic state, and glitazones have been found to decrease CRP levels in patients with diabetes. Statins also reduce CRP levels. Efforts to reduce CVD should include increased emphasis on improving glycaemic control, preventing development of diabetes and addressing cardiovascular risk factors in the pre-diabetic state. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.