Study raises concerns; Groups advise patients with diabetes to talk to their doctor
ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a nStatement from the American College of Cardiology, American Diabetes Association and American Heart Association Related to NEJM article, 'Effect of Rosiglitazone on the Risk of Myocardial Infarction and Death from Cardiovascular Causes': Today the New England Journal of Medicine published an article entitled, "Effect of Rosiglitazone on the Risk of Myocardial Infarction and Death from Cardiovascular Causes." The conclusions of this analysis of previous studies of rosiglitazone (brand name, Avandia) suggest that this oral agent used to treat type 2 diabetes may be associated with increased risk of heart attack and death from cardiovascular causes. According to ACC, ADA and AHA, this study deserves serious thought and follow-up. As estimated here, the overall level of the risk associated with rosiglitazone appears to be small, but nonetheless one that must be considered carefully.
In the meantime, patients using this drug should talk to their health care provider to determine the most appropriate course of action. Patients should not stop taking any prescribed medications without first discussing the issue with their health care provider. Further research will be needed in this area to provide conclusive evidence.
It is very important to prevent diabetes when possible and to effectively treat it when it is present. The treatment of diabetes should be a team approach, with health care providers and patients working together to ensure patient education and empowerment.
The most life-threatening consequences of diabetes are heart disease and stroke, which strike people with diabetes more than twice as often as they do others. If you have diabetes, it is very important to control your blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Information from the FDA for rosiglitazone can be found at: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01636.html.
About the American College of Cardiology: The American College of Cardiology is leading the way to optimal cardiovascular care and disease prevention. The College is a 34,000-member nonprofit medical society and bestows the credential Fellow of the American College of Cardiology upon physicians who meet its stringent qualifications. The College is a leader in the formulation of health policy, standards and guidelines, and is a staunch supporter of cardiovascular research. The ACC provides professional education and operates national registries for the measurement and improvement of quality care.
About the American Diabetes Association The American Diabetes Association is the nation's premier voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research, information and advocacy.
Founded in 1940, the Association's mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. The Association's commitment to research is reflected through its scientific meetings; education and provider recognition programs; and its Research Foundation and Nationwide Research Program, which fund breakthrough studies looking into the cure, prevention, and treatment of diabetes and its complications. Visit the American Diabetes Association at http://www.diabetes.org or call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383).
About the American Heart Association: Founded in 1924, the American Heart Association today is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to reducingdisability and death from diseases of the heart and stroke. These diseases, America's No. 1 and No. 3 killers, and all other cardiovascular diseasesclaim over 870,000 lives a year. In fiscal year 2005-06 the association invested over $543 million in research, professional and public education, advocacy and community service programs to help all Americans live longer, healthier lives. To learn more, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit
http://www.americanheart.org.
SOURCE American Diabetes Association