Microvascular and Macrovascular Complications of Diabetes

• Published in: Clinical diabetes Vol. 26; no. 2; pp. 77 - 82
• Main Author: Fowler, Michael J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Alexandria American Diabetes Association 01.04.2008
• Subjects: ACE inhibitors; Blood pressure; Cardiovascular disease; Care and treatment; Complications and side effects; Diabetes; Diabetic nephropathies; Diabetic retinopathy; Diagnosis; Drug therapy; Free radicals; Glucose; Growth hormones; Hyperglycemia; Intervention; Mortality; Risk factors; United States; Tennessee
• ISSN: 0891-8929; 1945-4953
• DOI: 10.2337/diaclin.26.2.77

Animal studies have suggested that treatment with antioxidants, such as vitamin E, may attenuate some vascular dysfunction associated with diabetes, but treatment with antioxidants has not yet been shown to alter the development or progression of retinopathy or other microvascular complications of diabetes.1,6 Growth factors, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), growth hormone, and transforming growth factor β, have also been postulated to play important roles in the development of diabetic retinopathy. Combination therapy with a statin plus other drugs, such as fibrates or niacin, may be necessary to achieve ideal lipid control, but patients should be monitored closely for possible adverse reactions of therapy.15 Aspirin therapy (75-162 mg/day) is indicated in secondary prevention of CVD and should be used in patients with diabetes who are > 40 years of age and in those who are 30-40 years of age if other risk factors are present.