Diabetes drug mixed result

Drugs that work on blood fats can cut the risk of heart attacks and stroke in people with type 2 diabetes.

The worldwide Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes trial, which studied 10,000 people, including some New Zealanders, also suggested fenofibrate cut diabetes-related kidney and eye disease.

The five-year trial showed fenofibrate could reduce coronary interventions such as bypass surgery. However, it did not significantly reduce major coronary events, such as heart attack or death.

The risk of cardiovascular death, heart attack, stroke, coronary and carotid revascularisation fell by 11 per cent due mainly to a 24 per cent reduction in the risk of non-fatal heart attack and a 21 per cent reduction in coronary angioplasty or bypass surgery. However this was not statistically significant.

- NZPA