Recent research presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Annual Meeting in Hamburg, Germany, has uncovered a potential benefit of low-dose aspirin in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes among older adults.
Study Insights on Aspirin and Diabetes
The study, led by Professor Sophia Zoungas from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, examined the effects of 100 mg daily aspirin on individuals aged 65 and over.
This research follows up on the ASPREE trial, which initially explored aspirin’s impact on cardiovascular diseases and major hemorrhage risks.
Key findings from the study include:
Reduced Diabetes Risk: Older adults taking low-dose aspirin showed a 15% lower chance of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those who took a placebo.
Slowed Increase in Blood Sugar: Aspirin users experienced a slower rise in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels over time.
Considerations for Future Studies: The results suggest that anti-inflammatory agents like aspirin could play a role in diabetes prevention, meriting further investigation.
Balancing Benefits and Risks
Despite these promising findings, the study doesn’t immediately change clinical recommendations for aspirin use among older adults.
This caution is due to the ASPREE trial’s earlier results, which revealed that aspirin use increased the risk of major bleeding, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract, without reducing cardiovascular disease incidence.
Professor Zoungas emphasizes that while the new findings about aspirin and diabetes are interesting, they don’t alter the current clinical advice regarding aspirin use in older people.
Current major prescribing guidelines recommend daily aspirin only for specific medical reasons, like post-heart attack care.
Conclusion
This new research adds an interesting dimension to our understanding of aspirin’s potential benefits, particularly in preventing type 2 diabetes in older adults.
However, given the associated risks, particularly the increased likelihood of bleeding, the medical community remains cautious.
Further studies are needed to explore the role of anti-inflammatory agents in diabetes prevention, balancing their potential benefits against the risks.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about new way to achieve type 2 diabetes remission, and one avocado a day keeps diabetes at bay.
For more information about diabetes, please see recent studies about 5 dangerous signs you have diabetes-related eye disease, and results showing why pomegranate is super fruit for people with diabetes.
The research findings can be found in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Copyright © 2023 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
