Influence of Glycemic Control on the Development of Diabetic Cardiovascular and Kidney Disease

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus leads to the development of a host of micro- and macrovascular complications, which collectively lead to substantial morbidity and mortality. Among the microvascular complications of diabetes, diabetic kidney disease is the most common. Macrovascular complications from diabetes lead to a 2- to 4-fold increase in the incidence of cardiovascular disease and up to twice the mortality from cardiovascular causes as compared with nondiabetic individuals. This article discusses the various drug classes used to treat diabetes mellitus, and reviews the current clinical evidence linking glycemic control using these drug classes on diabetic kidney and cardiovascular disease.