Trials review: cardiovascular outcome with intensive glycemic control and implications for patients with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Hyperglycemia is associated with microvascular and macrovascular complications. Intensive glucose control has been shown to reduce microvascular complications. Nevertheless, cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death in patients with type 2 diabetes. A positive association exists between hemoglobin A1c level and cardiovascular events, but whether reducing blood glucose will reduce cardiovascular events is still not quite clear. The benefits of intensive glucose control also remain uncertain for the heterogenous group of older patients with type 2 diabetes. This article reviews results of earlier and recently published intervention trials of intensive glucose control and their outcomes and discusses relevant recommendations for adults with type 2 diabetes.