Fat-Lowering Drug Lowers Amputation Risk
Fat-Lowering Drug Lowers Amputation Risk
According to a 5 year study published recently in the medical journal
Lancet, persons with Type 2 diabetes who received fenofibrate (Ticor),
a cholesterol and fat- lowering drug, experienced an important benefit
related to lower limb amputation. Researchers associated with the study
that involved over 9,000 people, found that diabetics who took this
drug had 36% fewer amputations than did diabetics who took a placebo
(fake drug).
Researchers have known for several years that persons with diabetes
experience twice the amount of heart disease as do non-diabetics. A
large number of diabetics die from heart disease. One study looked at
persons with diabetes and coronary heart disease. Those who took
statin-like cholesterol-lowering drugs had fewer heart attacks. It is
thought that such drugs help keep plaque build-up and deep cuts in the
arteries from causing heart attacks in persons with diabetes. It is also
known that uncontrolled elevated blood sugar levels can damage nerves
and blood vessels in the lower extremities. Such damage can lead to
diabetic gangrene and the possible need for the amputation of a toe,
foot or leg.