Don’t treat diabetes patients indiscriminately with antiplatelet drugs.

Type of practice

Drugs

Topic Area

Diabetology

Antiaggregant therapy with acetyl salicilic acid (75-160 mg/daily) is suitable for diabetic patients with previous cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events or with chronic obstructive arteriopathy, and in initial prevention, only in diabetic patients with high cardiovascular risk. Antiaggregant therapy with acetyl salicilic acid is not recommended in diabetics with low or moderate cardiovascular risk.

Sources

1. Belch J, MacCuish A, Campbell I, et al.; Prevention of Progression of Arterial Disease and Diabetes Study Group; Diabetes Registry Group; Royal College of Physicians Edinburgh. The prevention of progression of arterial disease and diabetes (POPADAD) trial: factorial randomised placebo controlled trial of aspirin and antioxidants in patients with diabetes and asymptomatic peripheral arterial disease. BMJ 2008; 337: a1840.
2. De Berardis G, Sacco M, Strippoli GF, et al. Aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular events in people with diabetes: meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ 2009; 339: b4531.
3. AMD-SID. Standard italiani per la cura del diabete mellito 2014. www.standarditaliani.it

Attention. Please note that these items are provided only for information and are not intended as a substitute for consultation with a clinician. Patients with any specific questions about the items on this list or their individual situation should consult their clinician.