Diabetes Mellitus Cardiovascular Risk Research Articles

Comparative Cardiovascular Risks of Febuxostat and Allopurinol in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus and Chronic Kidney Disease.

BACKGROUND Hyperuricemia, which is common in chronic kidney disease and diabetes mellitus patients, raises health concerns. Febuxostat, a first-line urate-lowering agent, prompts cardiovascular risk questions, especially in high-risk patients. This study compared the effects of febuxostat and allopurinol on cardiovascular risk in diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS This retrospective observational cohort study, conducted using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, focused on patients diagnosed with chronic kidney disease and diabetes between January 2012 and December 2017. The study population was divided into 2 groups: allopurinol users (n=12 901) and febuxostat users (n=2997). We performed 1: 1 propensity score matching, resulting in subgroups of 2997 patients each. The primary outcomes were assessed using a competing risk model, estimating hazard ratios (HR) for long-term outcomes, including the risks of all-cause hospitalization, hospitalization for heart failure, and hospitalization for cardiovascular interventions. RESULTS Febuxostat users, compared to allopurinol users, had higher all-cause hospitalization (HR: 1.33; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.25 to 1.42; P<.001), hospitalization for heart failure (HR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.43 to 1.83; P<.001), and hospitalization for cardiovascular interventions (HR: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.32 to 1.74; P<.001). Moreover, the adverse effects of febuxostat on cardiac health were consistent across most subgroups. CONCLUSIONS Use of febuxostat in patients with diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease is associated with higher cardiovascular risks compared to allopurinol. Prudent evaluation is essential when recommending febuxostat for this at-risk group.

Cardiovascular risk in diabetes mellitus: epidemiology, assessment and prevention.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Secular changes in CVD outcomes have occurred over the past few decades, mainly due to a decline in the incidence of ischaemic heart disease. The onset of T2DM at a young age (<40 years), leading to a greater number of life-years lost, has also become increasingly common. Researchers are now looking beyond established risk factors in patients with T2DM towards the role of ectopic fat and, potentially, haemodynamic abnormalities in mediating important outcomes (such as heart failure). T2DM confers a wide spectrum of risk and is not necessarily a CVD risk equivalent, indicating the importance of risk assessment strategies (such as global risk scoring, consideration of risk-enhancing factors and assessment of subclinical atherosclerosis) to inform treatment. Data from epidemiological studies and clinical trials demonstrate that successful control of multiple risk factors can reduce the risk of CVD events by ≥50%; however, only ≤20% of patients achieve targets for risk factor reduction (plasma lipid levels, blood pressure, glycaemic control, body weight and non-smoking status). Improvements in composite risk factor control with lifestyle management (including a greater emphasis on weight loss interventions) and evidence-based generic and novel pharmacological therapies are therefore needed when the risk of CVD is high.

Adherence to Mediterranean diet and advanced glycation endproducts in patients with diabetes.

BACKGROUNDIn recent years, American Diabetes Association started to strongly advocate the Mediterranean diet (MD) over other diets in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) because of its beneficial effects on glycemic control and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors. Tissue levels of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) emerged as an indicator of CV risk in DM. Skin biopsy being invasive, the use of AGE Reader has been shown to reflect tissue AGEs reliably.AIMTo examine the association between adherence to MD and AGEs in patients with DM type II.METHODSThis cross-sectional study was conducted on 273 patients with DM type II. A survey questionnaire was composed of 3 separate sections. The first part of the questionnaire included general data and the habits of the participants. The second part aimed to assess the basic parameters of participants’ diseases and associated conditions. The third part of the questionnaire was the Croatian version of the 14-item MD service score (MDSS). AGEs levels and associated CV risk were measured using AGE Reader (DiagnOptics Technologies BV, Groningen, The Netherlands).RESULTSA total of 27 (9.9%) patients fulfilled criteria for adherence to MD, with a median score of 8.0 (6.0-10.0). Patients with none/limited CV risk had significantly higher percentage of MD adherence in comparison to patients with increased/definite CV risk (15.2% vs 6.9%, P = 0.028), as well as better adherence to guidelines for nuts (23.2% vs 12.6%, P = 0.023) and legumes (40.4% vs 25.9%, P = 0.013) consumption. Higher number of patients with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) < 7% adhered to MD when compared to patients with HbA1c > 7% (14.9% vs 7.3%, P = 0.045). Moreover, those patients followed the MDSS guidelines for eggs (33.0% vs 46.8%, P = 0.025) and wine (15.6% vs 29.8%, P = 0.006) consumption more frequently. MDSS score had significant positive correlation with disease duration (r = 0.179, P = 0.003) and negative correlation with body mass index (BMI) values (r = -0.159, P = 0.008). In the multiple linear regression model, BMI (β ± SE, -0.09 ± 0.04, P = 0.037) and disease duration (β ± SE, 0.07 ± 0.02, P < 0.001) remained significant independent correlates of the MDSS score. Patients with HbA1c > 7% think that educational programs on nutrition would be useful for patients in significantly more cases than patients with HbA1c < 7% (98.9% vs 92.6%, P = 0.009).CONCLUSIONAlthough adherence to MD was very low among people with diabetes, we demonstrated that adherence to MD is greater in patients with lower CV risk, longer disease duration, and well-controlled glycaemia.

Use of the online Framingham platform for the evaluation of the cardiovascular risk in diabetes mellitus and systemic arterial hypertension patients in primary health care

BackgroundCardiovascular disease (CVD) is influenced by several factors. In this context, identifying cardiovascular risk (CVR) may contribute to taking action on modifiable risk factors especially in the population with diabetes mellitus (DM) and systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) in primary health care, where laboratory tests are often difficult to access.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in the next 10 years in diabetic and hypertensive primary healthcare patients using the online Framingham platform.Material and methodsThis is a cross-sectional study. Were evaluated 246 individuals by medical records, from the Center for Specialized Medicine in Diabetes and Hypertension. The Framingham Heart Study online table was used to assess CVR. The variables collected were blood pressure and body circumferences.ResultsSixty-five (26.42%) were diabetic, 67 (27.23%) were hypertensive, and 114 (46.34%) had DM and SAH. Significant values of CVR were observed in the SAH (19.76%) and DM + SAH (33.79%) groups when compared with the DM group (10.68%).ConclusionIn conclusion, the online Framingham platform tool was able to identify the CVR. Additionally, SAH seems to be a more powerful factor to increase CVR, and the coexistence of DM and SAH increases this risk even more.

Relation of Helicobacter pylori infection to peripheral arterial stiffness and 10-year cardiovascular risk in subjects with diabetes mellitus.

Purpose:This study was conducted to investigate the relation of HP infection to peripheral arterial stiffness and 10-year cardiovascular risk in diabetes mellitus (DM).Methods:DM subjects who underwent the C13-breath test were enrolled and divided into DMHP+ and DMHP− groups. Peripheral arterial stiffness was measured using brachial to ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Framingham score (FRS) and Chinese evaluation method of ischemic cardiovascular diseases (ICVD) were used to clarify 10-year cardiovascular risk.Results:A total of 6767 subjects were included, baPWV and proportion of subjects with severe peripheral arterial stiffness were lower in DMHP− group than DMHP+ group (1556.68 ± 227.54 vs 2031.61 ± 525.48 cm/s, p < 0.01; 21.9% vs 62.7%, p < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that HP infection was independently associated with baPWV. Furthermore, cardiovascular risk score and the proportion of subjects with high risk were lower in DMHP− group than DMHP+ group (FRS: 12.09 ± 3.77 vs 13.91 ± 3.77, 17.2% vs 38.8%; ICVD: 8.56 ± 2.99 vs 10.22 ± 3.16, 43.9% vs 65.4%, with all p < 0.05).Conclusion:DM subjects with HP infection had more severe peripheral arterial stiffness compared those without HP infection, a higher cardiovascular risk score and 10-year cardiovascular risk stratification were observed in those subjects.

In type 1 diabetes mellitus impaired vascular function relates to the expression of MYD88 in lymphomononuclear cells but not to dietary advanced glycation end-products

Aim: Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) increase arterial stiffness (AS) and impair the endothelial-mediated vasodilation that are determinants of cardiovascular risk in diabetes mellitus (DM). Dietary AGEs (dAGEs) contribute to long-term complications of DM. We aimed at investigating the relationship between dAGEs, genes involved in AGEs signalling and vascular function in type 1 DM patients (T1D).

Synergistic increase in cardiovascular risk in diabetes mellitus with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a meta-analysis.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). To explore the impact of diabetes mellitus (DM) as a cardiovascular risk factor, this meta-analysis quantitatively assessed the association of NAFLD and CVD in diabetic patients. PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library database were analyzed until the end of March 2017. Original studies analyzing the association between NAFLD and cardiovascular risk factors in the diabetic population were included. The available data related to outcome were extracted for the effect estimate using a random-effects model. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Of the 770 initially identified studies, 11 studies involving 8346 patients were finally included. The Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale scores suggested that the studies included were of high quality. The pooled effects estimate showed that diabetic patients with NAFLD showed a two times increased risk for CVD compared with patients without NAFLD (odds ratio=2.20, 95% confidence interval: 1.67-2.90). Subgroup analysis also yielded a markedly increased risk, with odds ratio (95% confidence interval) values of 2.28 (1.61-3.23) and 1.90 (1.48-2.45) in cross-sectional and cohort studies, respectively. This is the first meta-analysis investigating the relationship between NAFLD and CVD independent of the impact of DM. Our findings suggested that NAFLD increases the risk of CVD in populations with comparable DM profiles. Diabetic patients diagnosed with NAFLD might benefit from a more early cardiovascular risk assessment, thereby reducing CVD morbidity and mortality.

GW28-e0326 Increased cardiovascular risk in diabetes mellitus with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a meta-analysis

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been related with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). In order to explore the impact of diabetes mellitus (DM) as cardiovascular risk factor, this meta-analysis quantitatively assessed the association of NAFLD and CVD in diabetic patients

SGLT-2 Inhibitors and Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes Mellitus: A Comprehensive and Critical Review of the Literature.

Diabetes mellitus is a major cardiovascular risk factor. Despite the vast pharmaceutical armamentarium, current therapeutic options for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus were unable to provide consistent cardiovascular benefits, apart for metformin. The newest antidiabetic class of drugs, the SGLT-2 inhibitors, seem to provide significant survival benefits. The aim of this review is to present available data that will clarify whether SGLT-2 inhibitors could precipitate in reducing cardiovascular risk in diabetes mellitus. A comprehensive literature search was performed to identify available data from clinical and experimental studies evaluating the impact of SGLT-2 inhibitors in cardiovascular risk factors and outcomes. Along with a mild antihyperglycemic effect, SGLT-2 inhibitors seem to possess multi-dimensional properties, affecting positively several recognized cardiovascular risk factors such as increased blood pressure, arterial stiffness, body weight and dyslipidemia. Furthermore, preliminary data point towards additional benefits, including reduction of albuminuria in diabetic nephropathy, and reduction of oxidative markers and fatty liver disease in experimental models. The efficacy and safety profile of empagliflozin, an SGLT-2 inhibitor, was evaluated in the EMPA-REG outcome study, and the results were quite impressive. Further credence comes from the analysis of pooled data of SGLT-2 inhibitors trials that have shown similar results. SGLT-2 Inhibitors seem to be related with ameliorating effects on multiple cardiovascular risk factors. The first data from the EMPA-REG outcome study are indeed very promising. Several ongoing cardiovascular studies with this novel class of drugs will shed light and enforce or question current enthusiasm.

Increased cardiovascular risk of treated white coat and masked hypertension in patients with diabetes and chronic kidney disease: the HONEST Study

The prognostic implications of treated white coat hypertension (WCH) and masked hypertension (MH) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) or chronic kidney disease (CKD) are not well documented. Using data from the HONEST study (n=21 591), we investigated the relationships between morning home systolic blood pressure (MHSBP) or clinic systolic blood pressure (CSBP) and cardiovascular (CV) risk in hypertensive patients with and without DM or CKD receiving olmesartan-based antihypertensive therapy. The study included 4426 DM patients and 4346 CKD patients at baseline who had 101 and 87 major CV events, respectively, during the follow-up. Compared with well-controlled non-DM patients (MHSBP <135 mm Hg; CSBP <140 mm Hg), DM patients with WCH (MHSBP <135 mm Hg; CSBP ⩾140 mm Hg), MH (MHSBP ⩾135 mm Hg; CSBP <140 mm Hg) or poorly controlled hypertension (PCH) (MHSBP ⩾135 mm Hg; CSBP ⩾140 mm Hg) had significantly higher CV risk (hazard ratio (HR), 2.73, 2.77 and 2.81, respectively). CV risk was also significantly increased in CKD patients with WCH, MH and PCH (HR, 2.14, 1.70 and 2.20, respectively) compared with well-controlled non-CKD patients. Furthermore, DM patients had significantly higher incidence rate than non-DM patients of MHSBP ⩾125 to <135 mm Hg (HR, 1.98) and ⩾135 to <145 mm Hg (HR, 2.41). In conclusion, both WCH and MH are associated with increased CV risk, and thus control of both MHSBP and CSBP is important to reduce CV risk in DM or CKD patients. The results also suggest that even lower MHSBP (<125 mm Hg) may be beneficial for DM patients, although this conclusion is limited by the small number of patients.

Endothelial Dysfunction in Human Diabetes Is Mediated by Wnt5a-JNK Signaling.

Endothelial dysfunction is linked to insulin resistance, inflammatory activation, and increased cardiovascular risk in diabetes mellitus; however, the mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Recent studies have identified proinflammatory signaling of wingless-type family member (Wnt) 5a through c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) as a regulator of metabolic dysfunction with potential relevance to vascular function. We sought to gain evidence that increased activation of Wnt5a-JNK signaling contributes to impaired endothelial function in patients with diabetes mellitus. We measured flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery and characterized freshly isolated endothelial cells by protein expression, eNOS activation, and nitric oxide production in 85 subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (n=42) and age- and sex-matched nondiabetic controls (n=43) and in human aortic endothelial cells treated with Wnt5a. Endothelial cells from patients with diabetes mellitus displayed 1.3-fold higher Wnt5a levels (P=0.01) along with 1.4-fold higher JNK activation (P<0.01) without a difference in total JNK levels. Higher JNK activation was associated with lower flow-mediated dilation, consistent with endothelial dysfunction (r=0.53, P=0.02). Inhibition of Wnt5a and JNK signaling restored insulin and A23187-mediated eNOS activation and improved nitric oxide production in endothelial cells from patients with diabetes mellitus. In endothelial cells from nondiabetic controls, rWnt5a treatment inhibited eNOS activation replicating the diabetic endothelial phenotype. In human aortic endothelial cells, Wnt5a-induced impairment of eNOS activation and nitric oxide production was reversed by Wnt5a and JNK inhibition. Our findings demonstrate that noncanonical Wnt5a signaling and JNK activity contribute to vascular insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction and may represent a novel therapeutic opportunity to protect the vasculature in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Dietary Fibre and Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes Mellitus

Patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease compared to non-diabetic populations. Improved dietary quality is essential to control risk factors and can prevent or delay cardiovascular disease in diabetic patients. Higher dietary fibre intake was inversely associated with cardiovascular disease in several general population studies. However, in diabetes mellitus, and especially type 1 diabetes, little information is available. A literature study was performed to summarize the available evidence for a possible relationship between fibre consumption from natural foods and the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in people with type 2 and type 1 diabetes. In November and December 2014, PubMed was searched for relevant articles. The full texts of 15 articles were reviewed. Prospective cohort studies reported an inverse association between dietary fibre intake and all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality risk in both diabetes types. Randomized controlled trials were inconsistent. For type 2 diabetes, dietary fibre intake was related to lower plasma glucose and plasma lipid levels. In terms of foods, mainly legume and cereal fibre, vegetables and fruits were found to beneficially influence cardiovascular risk in patients with type 2 diabetes. For type 1 diabetes, no foods were investigated, but dietary fibre had some beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors from limited trials. To lower CVD risk in people with type 1 diabetes in the future, the potential of raising fibre in the diet should be further explored.

Effects of lipid-lowering treatment on circulating microparticles in patients with diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease.

Elevated levels of circulating microparticles (MPs) may contribute to the high cardiovascular risk in diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Therefore, we investigated the effects of lipid-lowering treatment (LLT) with simvastatin alone (S) or with ezetimibe (S+E) on MPs in DM patients with or without CKD. After a placebo run-in period, 18 DM patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 15-59 mL/min (CKD stages 3-4) (DM-CKD) and 21 DM patients with eGFR >75 mL/min (DM-only) were treated with S and S+E in a randomized, double-blind, crossover study. MPs from platelets, monocytes and endothelial cells (PMPs, MMPs and EMPs), and their expression of phosphatidylserine (PS), P-selectin, CD40 ligand (CD40L) and tissue factor (TF) were measured by flow cytometry. At baseline, all types of MPs, except TF-positive MMPs, were elevated in DM-CKD compared with DM-only patients. All MPs, regardless of origin and phenotype, were inversely correlated with eGFR. S reduced the expression of P-selectin, TF and CD40L on PMPs and of TF on MMPs in both patient groups. S+E had no further effect. S also reduced total PS-positive procoagulant MPs, PMPs and MMPs in DM-CKD but not in DM-only patients. DM patients with CKD stages 3-4 had elevated PMPs, EMPs and MMPs compared with DM patients with normal GFR. Simvastatin reduced procoagulant MPs, MMPs and PMPs in DM-CKD patients, suggesting a beneficial reduction of hypercoagulability in this high-risk patient group. Differences between DM-CKD and DM-only patients were counteracted by LLT.

The role of reactive oxidative species in insulin resistance-associated cardiovascular disease

Summary Due to an alarming growth in prevalence, diabetes mellitus (DM) has attained the status of a global epidemic. Most deaths linked to DM are attributable to cardiovascular disease, and the elevation in cardiovascular risk in DM is thought to be underpinned by resistance to the vascular and metabolic effects of insulin. One of the characteristics of insulin-resistant states is the excessive production of reactive oxygen species. Recent studies have highlighted this to be a crucial contributor to the relationship between insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease, leading to research investigating the potential therapeutic implications of manipulating reactive oxygen species levels in the context of insulin resistance. This review summarizes our current understanding and future direction in this emerging field.

Prevalence of Dyslipidemia and Hypertension in Indian Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Metabolic Syndrome and its Clinical Significance

ObjectivesThe present study was designed to estimate the prevalence of dyslipidemia and hypertension based on the National Cholesterol Educational Programme Adult Treatment Panel III definition of metabolic syndrome (MetS). The study also focuses on prevalence for MetS with respect to the duration of disease in Gwalior–Chambal region of Madhya Pradesh, India. MethodsType 2 diabetic patients (n = 700) were selected from a cross-sectional study that is regularly being conducted in the School of Studies in Biochemistry, Jiwaji University Gwalior, India. The period of our study was from January 2007 to October 2009. Dyslipidemia and hypertension were determined in type 2 diabetic patients with MetS as per National Cholesterol Educational Programme Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. ResultsThe mean age of the study population was 54 ± 9.3 years with 504 (72%) males and 196 (28%) females. The prevalence of MetS increased with increased duration of diabetes in females; however, almost constant prevalence was seen in the males. Notable increase in the dyslipidemia (64.1%) and hypertension (49%) in type 2 diabetic patients were seen. The steep increase in dyslipidemia and hypertension could be the reason for the growing prevalence of diabetes worldwide. The study also noted a close association between age and occurrence of MetS. ConclusionIndividual variable of MetS appears to be highly rampant in diabetic population. Despite treatment, almost half of patients still met the criteria for MetS. Effective treatment of MetS components is required to reduce cardiovascular risk in diabetes mellitus hence accurate and early diagnosis to induce effective treatment of MetS in Indian population will be pivotal in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

Lipid‐lowering treatment and inflammatory mediators in diabetes and chronic kidney disease

Inflammation may contribute to the high cardiovascular risk in diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) facilitates the recruitment of monocytes into atherosclerotic lesions and is involved in diabetic nephropathy. Interferon gamma (IFNγ) is important in atherosclerosis and increases the synthesis of chemokines including MCP-1. Lipid-lowering treatment (LLT) with statins may have anti-inflammatory effects, and ezetimibe cotreatment provides additional cholesterol lowering. After a placebo run-in period, the effects of simvastatin alone (S) or simvastatin + ezetimibe (S+E) were compared in a randomized, double-blind, cross-over study on inflammatory parameters. Eighteen DM patients with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 15-59mL/min×1·73m(2) (CKD stages 3-4) (DM-CKD) and 21 DM patients with eGFR >75mL/min (DM only) were included. At baseline, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) (P=0·03), IFNγ (P=0·02), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα) (P<0·01) and soluble vascular adhesion molecule (sVCAM) (P=0·001) levels were elevated in DM-CKD compared with DM-only patients. LLT with S and S+E reduced MCP-1 levels (P<0·01 by anova) and IFNγ levels (P<0·01) in DM-CKD patients but not in DM-only patients. Reductions were most pronounced with the combination treatment. DM patients with CKD stages 3-4 had increased inflammatory activity compared with DM patients with normal GFR. Lipid-lowering treatment decreased the levels of MCP-1 and IFNγ in DM patients with concomitant CKD, which may be beneficial with regard to the progression of both atherosclerosis and diabetic nephropathy.

Modified lipoproteins as biomarkers of cardiovascular risk in diabetes mellitus

Prevention of high incidence of cardiovascular disease in diabetes is one of the challenges of endocrinology. Validation of new biomarkers that may contribute to a better assessment of cardiovascular risk and help implement treatment strategies is one of the promising approaches in research on prevention and reduction of cardiovascular risk. Modification of low density lipoprotein (LDL) is a key element in development of atherosclerotic lesions. Several pathophysiological characteristics of diabetes are crucial for the LDL of these patients to have higher modification rates as compared to the healthy population. Diabetic dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and oxidative stress synergistically promote the occurrence of lipoperoxidation, glycosylation and glycoxidation processes, which will generate modified lipoproteins that stimulate development of atherosclerosis. This article reviews the role of different types of modified LDL in development of atherosclerosis in diabetes, as well as the possibility of using its quantification in cardiovascular risk prediction.

Blood pressure and diabetes: vicious twins

Hypertension (HTN) and diabetes mellitus (DM) have become increasingly prevalent globally. As of the year 2000, an estimated 972 million individuals worldwide (26%) had HTN—a number that is projected to...

Assessment of High Cardiovascular Risk Profiles for the Clinician

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major cardiovascular (CV) risk factor. General Framingham Risk Profile (GFRP) and World Health Organization/International Society of Hypertension (WHO/ISH) charts were used to assess CV risk in DM in Oman. The GFRP identified more patients with medium-risk DM; GFRP and WHO/ISH identified essentially equal numbers at very high risk. These were then used to evaluate statin usage in Oman, including economics. Google lists innumerable tools from organizations, hospitals, practitioners, magazines, societies, clinics, and medical associations. The GFRP and WHO/ISH calculations provided useful DM assessment of populations in Oman. Other major risk models are Adult Treatment Panel III, based on Framingham, and Reynolds Risk Score; the latter incorporates other factors such as family history, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and hemoglobin A(1c) (in DM). These models are useful in assessing specific populations. Individual practitioners with limited time may just evaluate patients as low, medium, and high CV risk based on general knowledge and then treat.

Mechanisms of Diabetic Dyslipidemia: Relevance for Atherogenesis

Diabetic dyslipidemia is due to a multiple array of metabolic abnormalities determining a typical phenotype characterized by increased plasma triglycerides, reduced HDL and a preponderance of small, dense LDL. This dyslipidemia, defined as atherogenic dyslipidemia, is thought to be highly responsible for the increased cardiovascular risk in diabetes mellitus. Several lines of evidence indicate that the increased liver production of VLDL is the main underlying defect in atherogenic dyslipidemia. This review will recapitulate the pathophysiological aspects of diabetic dyslipidemia with special focus on the molecular mechanism causing increased liver production of VLDL in diabetic patients. The consequences of atherogenic dyslipidemia on mechanisms of atherogenesis will be also reviewed.