In a Meta-Analysis, Lowering Blood Pressure Reduced Risk for New-Onset Diabetes

Blood pressure (BP) lowering helps prevent vascular complications of diabetes, but does it help prevent onset of diabetes? Randomized trials of drug therapies have suggested that angiotensin-converting–enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs) lower risk for new-onset diabetes, whereas diuretics and β-blockers might raise risk. Researchers conducted a patient-level meta-analysis of 22 large, randomized trials in which a specific class of antihypertensive drug was compared with placebo or another antihypertensive drug class for cardiovascular prevention. New-onset diabetes was reported as a secondary outcome; patients with pre-existing diabetes were excluded.

Overall, lowering BP by 5 mm Hg significantly lowered risk fo…