since publication of the results of the University Group Diabetes Project (UGDP), the relationship between the use of sulphonylureas and increased cardiovascular risk has been questioned
patients treated with tolbutamide in the UGDP had a significantly higher cardiovascular rate of death than those given placebo (1)
a retrospective, inception cohort study investigating the use of oral hypoglycaemic agents and risk of cardiovascular disease has been undertaken (2)
study involved 5795 subjects - identified by their first-ever dispensation for an oral antidiabetic agent and grouped according to their use of such agents during follow-up
the study findings revealed that higher exposure to sulphonylureas was associated with increased mortality among patients newly treated for type 2 diabetes. The same relation was not observed with metformin
Reference:
Meinert CL et al. A study of the effects of hypoglycemic agents on vascular complications in patients with adult-onset diabetes. II. Mortality results. Diabetes 1970;19(Suppl):789-830.
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