Multifactorial aspects of the treatment of the type II diabetic patient

People with type II diabetes have a twofold to fourfold increased risk of dying from the complications of cardiovascular disease. Atherosclerosis and vascular thrombosis are major contributors. The increased risk is present before fasting hyperglycemia is seen. These individuals often have a sedentary life style, poor physical conditioning, insulin resistance, centripetal obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and a prothrombotic state. Chronic hyperglycemia is then added to these risk markers. Microalbuminuria may precede hyperglycemia in type II diabetes, occurs in 30% to 40% of these individuals after diabetes is established, and is a predictor of cardiovascular events. Early intervention in high-risk individuals may delay or prevent fasting hyperglycemia. An all-inclusive approach that focuses on early risk factor (or marker) identification and management to prevent or delay accelerated atherosclerosis and thrombosis in type II diabetes is an attractive strategy. However, the database to support this strategy is limited. In particular, large-scale prospective trial data are not available to support the concept of intensive glycemic regulation to prevent progression of macrovascular disease in type II diabetes. This is in contrast to the situation regarding microvascular disease of the eyes and kidneys. Recently, indirect data of a correlative nature have emerged, and short-and long-term prospective trials at early and late stages of type II diabetes are now being reported. These studies are analyzed and interpreted in this report. In contrast, the database to support an intensive antiplatelet regimen to prevent vascular thrombotic events in people with type II diabetes is large, and these studies are reviewed. They are of a type and magnitude to allow definite recommendations for aspirin therapy in type II diabetes. Aggressive therapy directed at hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and elevated urinary albumin in people with type II diabetes appears to be indicated. Increased attention to the multifactorial aspects of treatment of the type II diabetic patient is needed. Our present challenge is to translate these findings for patients and primary health care providers so that effective actions may be implemented. Copyright (C) 1997 by W.B. Saunders Company.