Aspirin no heart protection for some type 2 diabetics

The finding is important because heart attack and stroke are leading causes of death among patients living with the disease.

A surprising finding, according to lead study author Subhashini Yaturu, M.D., section chief of the Endocrinology and Metabolism Department at Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany, NY, was that neither high blood pressure nor increased waist circumference – associated with diabetes – were not linked to higher levels of the chemical that causes aspirin resistance, but were instead, lower.

Levels of 11DhTx2 were highest in study participants who had signs of early kidney disease, measured by the presence of the urinary protein, micro-albumin.

The study also highlights the importance of regular urine screening for early kidney disease that should be performed at least once a year and is different from blood tests that measure kidney function.

"These results provide new information about the factors associated with aspirin resistance," Yaturu said in a press release. "This may help doctors identify people who are likely to be aspirin resistant, so that higher doses or different drugs can be prescribed to prevent blood clots. Further studies are required to clarify the appropriate dose of aspirin and or other therapies for subjects with diabetes to prevent clots."

Source:

The Endocrine Society

June 24, 2012