Effect of gemfibrozil on early carotid atherosclerosis in diabetic patients with hyperlipidaemia.
BACKGROUND
An increased thickness of the carotid artery wall is thought to be a sign of early atherosclerosis. We have investigated the effects of gemfibrozil in asymptomatic diabetic hyperlipidaemic subjects on the 12-month progression of arterial wall thickness.


METHODS
Forty non-insulin-dependent diabetics with hyperlipidaemia and without hypertension were studied. After a 4-week run-in-diet phase, oral gemfibrozil was administered (900 mg once daily) in 20 patients randomly selected, while 20 subjects were treated only with diet. The two groups were matched for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), duration of diabetes and glycaemic control. Arterial wall thickness was measured as the mean of the maximum intima of media thickness (IMT) in 16 carotid segments by B-mode ultrasound.


RESULTS
Baseline size of IMT and lipid values were similar in both groups. The IMT increase over 12 months was 5% in the gemfibrozil group vs 15.2% in subjects treated by diet alone.


CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that gemfibrozil treatment may be useful in decreasing the progression rate of arterial wall thickness.
Migdalis
I N
IN
Department of Diabetes, NIMTS Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Gerolimou
B
B
Kozanidou
G
G
Voudouris
G
G
Hatzigakis
S M
SM
Petropoulos
A
A
D000284:Administration, Oral; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002340:Carotid Artery Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017536:Carotid Artery, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015248:Gemfibrozil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014463:Ultrasonography
D001786:Blood Glucose; D002784:Cholesterol; D015248:Gemfibrozil; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D014280:Triglycerides