Blood sugar control cuts stroke risk

SYDNEY - Blood sugar control can cut down the risk of heart disease and stroke among diabetic patients by 15 percent, an analysis based on four studies said.

It said that diabetic patients without a history of heart disease derive greater benefits compared to those who have already experienced heart complications.

The analysis was able to assess 27,049 patients with type 2 diabetes who were treated and followed-up for five years. In the first study, 11,140 patients were assessed while the remaining were involved in other three studies.

One of the studies, ADVANCE, was initiated and designed by The George Institute of International Health (GIIH) and involved a group of independent medical researchers from 20 countries worldwide, says a GIIH release.

While the analysis results showed an increased risk of hypoglycaemia (very low blood sugar levels) with intensive control, there was no evidence of increased risk in mortality. However, researchers suggest that glucose lowering regimens be tailored to individual patients.

The new analysis aimed to generate more precise estimates of the effects of more-intensive, compared with less-intensive, glucose control on the risk of major cardiovascular events amongst such patients.

Globally, there are approximately 250 million people with diabetes and that number is estimated to rise to 380 million in 2025.