European Society of Cardiology (ESC) meeting, VIENNA: Routine administration of a blood pressure lowering drug to patients with diabetes - a fixed combination of perindopril (ACE inhibitor) and indapamide (diuretic), known as Preterax (Coversyl Plus in the UK), significantly reduces risk of death and cardiovascular events, irrespective of initial blood pressure status or other diabetes related treatments.1 This is according to results of the blood pressure-lowering arm of the landmark five year study, ADVANCE** headlining at the ESC recently and published online in The Lancet.1

The relative risk reduction of cardiovascular-related death was reduced by 18%* and death from any cause was reduced by 14%*.1 In absolute terms, one death could be avoided for about 80 patients treated with Preterax over five years.1

Dr George Kassianos, GP and Fellow of the European Society of Cardiology commented, "This study is genuinely exciting because it provides a rationale for considering such treatment routinely for patients with type 2 diabetes. It can save lives and reduce cardiovascular complications, regardless of whether patients have hypertension to start with or not - which has never been proven before"

In the UK, there are 1.8 million people known to have diabetes.2 Diabetes UK estimates that by the end of this decade the number could increase to three million people.2 Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the major complication of type 2 diabetes.3 Overall, CVD ranks as the major cause of death in diabetes, accounting for between 50% and 80% of all diabetes fatalities.3

ADVANCE is the first and largest trial ever performed with a fixed combination antihypertensive in type 2 diabetic patients. The multicentre, randomised, placebo controlled study involved a total of 11,140 patients with type 2 diabetes from 20 countries worldwide, including the UK.1 Patients included were both normotensive and hypertensive and were already receiving most of the usual treatments provided to patients with diabetes, including other blood pressure lowering drugs.

The ADVANCE study was initiated and designed by the investigators and co-sponsored by The George Institute for International Health and the University of Sydney, and Servier. A second arm of the study, that sets out to assess the risks and benefits of intensive glucose lowering using a gliclazide MR-based regimen (Diamicron MR) will report later.

Perindopril / indapamide combinations are registered under the following trade names: Preterax, BiPreterax, Preterax Forte, Biprel, Noliprel, Noliprel Forte, Prelectal, Prelectal forte, Predonium, Noriplel, Coversyl Plus, Coversyl Comp, Coversum Combi, Armix Comb, Prestarium Combi, Prestarium Plus.

Preterax and Diamicron MR are registered products of Servier.

References:

1 Data presented at a hotline session of the European Society of Cardiology meeting 2 September 2007

2 Diabetes UK, diabetes/ (Accessed August 2007)

3 International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease. eatlas.idf/Complications/Diabetes_and_cardiovascular_disease/ (Accessed August 2007)

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