[Multirisk approach of the type 2 diabetic patient: controversies surrounding target values after the ACCORD trial]

The ACCORD trial investigated the effects of intensifying the global management of 10,251 type 2 diabetic patients, with established cardiovascular disease or at least two other cardiovascular risk factors, on a composite endpoint (non fatal myocardial infarction, stroke and cardiovascular death). The attempt to reduce HbA1c level below 6% was associated with an increased cardiovascular mortality (despite a reduction in non fatal myocardial infarcts); lowering systolic blood pressure below 120 mmHg instead of 140 mmHg did not provide any additional benefit; finally, the control of atherogenic dyslipidaemia, with fenofibrate added to a statin, did not modify the composite endpoint (despite a positive effect in the subgroup of patients with high triglycerides and low HDL cholesterol). These rather disappointing results should be interpreted to provide practical guidelines.