Attenuating cardiovascular risk factors in patients with type 2 diabetes

Patients with type 2 diabetes (formerly known as non-insulin-resistant diabetes) have a significantly increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Once clinical cardiovascular disease develops, these patients have a poorer prognosis than normoglycemic patients. By inducing endothelial changes, hyperglycemia contributes directly to atherosclerosis. Type 2 diabetes is also associated with atherogenic dyslipidemias. This form of diabetes, or the precursor state of insulin resistance, commonly occurs as a metabolic syndrome (formerly known as syndrome X) consisting of hypertension, atherogenic dyslipidemia and a procoagulant state, in addition to the disorder of glucose metabolism. All cardiovascular risk factors except smoking are more prevalent in patients with type 2 diabetes. In addition to exercise, weight control, aspirin therapy and blood pressure control, therapy to modify lipid profiles is usually necessary. The choice of agent or combination of statin, bile acid sequestrant, fibric acid derivative and nicotinic acid depends on the lipid profile and characteristics of the individual patient.