Abstract
Diabetes mellitus confers a high risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality and requires aggressive management of all cardiovascular risk factors, including diabetic dyslipidemia. Although levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol are often normal or only slightly elevated in persons with diabetes, lipid-altering therapy with statins has been shown in large, randomized, controlled trials to decrease the risk of cardiovascular complications in this patient population. A target low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level of <70 mg/dL is now a therapeutic option in patients at very high risk for coronary heart disease, including patients with diabetes. Diabetes is also a leading cause of end-stage renal disease. In addition to their lipid-modifying effects, statins have been shown to slow the progression of diabetic nephropathy and potentially exert other renoprotective effects; these benefits, however, remain to be confirmed in clinical trials.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
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Review
MeSH terms
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Cardiovascular Diseases / blood
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Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology
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Cardiovascular Diseases / prevention & control*
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Cholesterol, LDL / blood
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Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / blood
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Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / complications*
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Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy
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Diabetic Nephropathies / complications
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Diabetic Nephropathies / drug therapy
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Dyslipidemias / blood
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Dyslipidemias / complications
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Dyslipidemias / drug therapy*
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Dyslipidemias / etiology
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Humans
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Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
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Metabolic Syndrome / blood
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Metabolic Syndrome / complications*
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Metabolic Syndrome / drug therapy
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Practice Guidelines as Topic
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Risk Assessment
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Risk Factors
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Stroke / etiology
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Stroke / prevention & control
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Treatment Outcome
Substances
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Cholesterol, LDL
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Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors