Death Risk Prompts Government To Stop Diabetes Study

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February 6th, 2008

"Risk of Death Halts Government Study"

A government run diabetes trial was halted 18 months early after a safety analysis revealed an increased risk of death in patients whose blood sugar levels dipped too low.

The 10,000 patient trial was examining the effectiveness of aggressive diabetes treatment, which involves lowering patients’ blood sugar levels to 6.5%. Researchers found that when blood sugar levels dropped to 6.4%, the risk of death increased to 25%.

Controversial Diabetes Drug

The findings may renew the debate over the controversial diabetes drug Avandia, which was used in the intensive treatment group. Avandia came under scrutiny last year when it was linked to a significantly increased risk of heart attack.

Experts, however, are reluctant to jump to any conclusions about whether Avandia is linked to the increased risk of death seen in this trial.

“It’s very hard to sort out,” said Dr. Steven Nissen, who first exposed Avandia’s heart risks.

Diabetes Epidemic

Approximately 21 million Americans suffer from diabetes, a disease responsible for nearly 300,000 deaths every year.

(Source: USA Today)

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