Multifactorial Intervention Reduces Morbidity in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

An intensive intervention focusing on multiple risk factors was superior to conventional therapy -- now, the challenge is how to make such interventions broadly available.

In studies of preventive cardiovascular interventions among diabetic patients, researchers tend to examine outcomes after modification of a single risk factor. But what is the effect of a more comprehensive multifactorial intervention?

To address this question, Danish researchers randomly assigned 160 patients (mean age, 55) with type 2 diabetes and microalbuminuria to receive 1 of 2 interventions, starting in 1992. One group received intensive treatment, which included diet and exercise programs, smoking cessation courses, aspirin, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin-II-receptor blockers, and algorithms with specified treatment goals for glycosylated hemoglobin, blood pressure, and lipid levels; these patients were offer…

Reviewing Author

Allan S. Brett, MD