Drug May Lessen Amputation Risk for Diabetics
The researchers considered the status of large-vessel disease to distinguish amputations related to large-artery atherosclerosis from those related to diabetic microvascular disease.
The study found virtually no difference in the risk for amputations above the ankle between those who did and did not take fenofibrate.
Height was found to be a major predictor of amputations, with a 1.6-fold increase for every additional 10 centimeters in height.
"Classic markers of macrovascular and microvascular risk were associated with lower-extremity amputations in patients with type 2 diabetes," concluded Professor Anthony Keech, of the National Health and Medical Research Council Clinical Trials Centre at the University of Sydney, in Australia, and his colleagues.
"These findings could lead to a change in standard treatment for the prevention of diabetes-related lower-limb amputations," they concluded, adding that the results "showed a reduction in amputation rates that seemed to emerge after just 1.5 years of fenofibrate use."
The study was published this week in a special issue of The Lancet devoted to diabetes.
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