Cardiovascular disease must be ‘prioritised’ in type 2 diabetes management

By Editor
25th September 2020
Research, Type 2 diabetes

Cardiovascular disease must be “prioritised” and made a “key factor” in the management of type 2 diabetes, according to researchers from a major study. 

The findings from CAPTURE, a global non-interventional trial, have been unveiled at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes 2020 meeting.

The findings  showed that one in three people with type 2 diabetes have established cardiovascular disease, and nine in 10 of these had atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

CAPTURE also highlighted that only two in 10 people with type 2 diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease are receiving a glucose-lowering treatment with proven cardiovascular benefits.

People with type 2 diabetes need to be more aware of their risk factors and physicians need to be actively screening for them. Study investigator Dr Ofri Mosenzon

Thought to be the first study of its kind, it involved nearly 10,000 participants from 13 countries across five continents.

Study investigator Dr Ofri Mosenzon, who consults for Novo Nordisk and the Diabetes Unit at the Hadassah Medical Center in Israel, said: “The findings of the CAPTURE study are significant for anyone involved in the care of people with type 2 diabetes.

“The data highlight that while the prevalence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease within the type 2 diabetes population is high, the vast majority are not being managed with treatments that are proven to reduce the risk of potentially life-altering cardiovascular events.

“It is critical that we prioritise cardiovascular disease as a key factor in the management of type 2 diabetes. People with type 2 diabetes need to be more aware of their risk factors and physicians need to be actively screening for them. Today, we can address this risk through treatments with proven cardiovascular benefits, as recommended by various treatment guidelines.”

Primary and secondary

For the first time, information on cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes has been gathered from both primary and secondary care settings, also reflecting that a significant proportion of people with type 2 diabetes are being treated by primary care physicians in conjunction with diabetes specialists.

Stephen Gough, chief medical officer at Novo Nordisk, added: “Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of disability and death among people with type 2 diabetes. Until recently, the importance of this link between type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease was not fully recognised on a global scale.

“Through our ongoing investment, including the CAPTURE study, Novo Nordisk hopes that with increased understanding of the disease and its management, healthcare professionals will have greater knowledge of the most appropriate way to manage this disease and improve patient outcomes.”

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