ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF LOW-DOSE ASPIRIN ON CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE PREVENTION IN DIABETIC PATIENTS

Abstract

Background: Diabetes significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), prompting interest in preventive treatments such as low-dose aspirin. Despite its potential, the efficacy of aspirin in this context remains debated.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of low-dose aspirin in preventing CVD among individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial, 100 type 2 diabetic patients without previous CVD were enrolled. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either 81 mg/day of aspirin or a placebo for one year. The primary endpoint was the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).

Results: Each group comprised 50 participants with comparable baseline characteristics. The incidence of MACE was 10% in the aspirin group compared to 28% in the placebo group, achieving statistical significance (p=0.03). While the aspirin group also showed reductions in myocardial infarction and stroke, these differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: Low-dose aspirin significantly reduces the incidence of MACE in type 2 diabetic patients, supporting its use as a preventive intervention in this high-risk group.