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Baseline characteristics in the Collaborative AtoRvastatin Diabetes Study (CARDS) in patients with Type 2 diabetes

M J Thomason1, H M Colhoun, S J Livingstone

  • 1EURODIAB, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Royal Free and University College Medical School, London, UK. m.thomason@ucl.ac.uk

Diabetic Medicine : a Journal of the British Diabetic Association
|July 24, 2004
PubMed

Insights

The Collaborative Atorvastatin Diabetes Study (CARDS) evaluated atorvastatin for cardiovascular event prevention in Type 2 diabetes patients. Baseline characteristics of participants were described to inform future cardiovascular risk management strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Clinical Trials

Background:

  • Type 2 diabetes significantly increases cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
  • Primary prevention of major cardiovascular events is crucial in diabetic populations.
  • Lipid-lowering therapy is a key strategy for managing CVD risk in diabetes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize baseline demographics and clinical features of patients enrolled in the CARDS trial.
  • To provide a comprehensive description of participants in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of atorvastatin for primary CVD prevention.
  • To establish a foundation for analyzing the efficacy of atorvastatin in reducing cardiovascular events in Type 2 diabetes.

Main Methods:

  • The Collaborative Atorvastatin Diabetes Study (CARDS) was a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
  • Inclusion criteria included Type 2 diabetes, age 40-75, no prior major cardiovascular events, and specific risk factors.
  • Eligibility also required LDL-cholesterol <= 4.14 mmol/l and triglycerides <= 6.78 mmol/l.

Main Results:

  • 2838 patients were randomized into the CARDS study by June 2001.
  • Mean age was 62 years, with a median diabetes duration of 6 years.
  • Prevalent risk factors included hypertension (79%), retinopathy (30%), and current smoking (23%).

Conclusions:

  • The CARDS study provides essential data on baseline characteristics for atorvastatin's role in Type 2 diabetes.
  • Findings will contribute to understanding the macrovascular and microvascular benefits of lipid lowering.
  • Results are expected to influence clinical management strategies for diabetic patients at cardiovascular risk.
Abstract

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