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Evidence summaries

Acarbose in the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Hypertension in Patients with Impaired Glucose Tolerance

Acarbose is effective in the prevention of cardiovascular events and hypertension in patients with impaired glucose tolerance. Level of evidence: "A"

In an international, multicentre trial 1, 1429 patients with a mean age of 54.5 years and BMI 30.9 were randomized to receive either acarbose 100 mg 3 times a day or placebo. Decreasing prostprandial hyperglycemia with acarbose was associated with a 2.5% absolute risk reduction and a 49% relative risk reduction in the development of cardiovascular events (HR 0.51, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.95), and a 5.3% absolute risk reduction and 34% relative risk reduction in the incidence of new cases of hypertension (HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.89). The risk reduction was no influenced by adjusting for major risk factors.

    References

    • Chiasson JL, Josse RG, Gomis R, Hanefeld M, Karasik A, Laakso M, STOP-NIDDM Trial Research Group. Acarbose treatment and the risk of cardiovascular disease and hypertension in patients with impaired glucose tolerance: the STOP-NIDDM trial. JAMA 2003 Jul 23;290(4):486-94. [PubMed]

Primary/Secondary Keywords