Treatments aimed at minimising glycaemic levels in patients with type 2 diabetes may increase mortality risk, according to a major UK study.
The Cardiff University researchers say their findings raise “serious questions” about the safety of some glucose-lowering drugs.
They say their analysis is “persuasive” in linking low HbA1c levels to increase mortality risk.
The findings, reported in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, come from an analysis of data on 300,000 British patients over a nine-year period. There were more than 6,000 deaths during the period.
Researcher Professor Craig Currie said: "Treatment guidelines generally recommend therapeutic strategies that aim for low levels of glucose control, on the understanding that it reduces risk of macrovascular complications such as coronary artery disease and stroke.
“Contrary to this belief, our findings show persuasively that there is an association with increased mortality risk and what is considered to be good glucose control, or low HbA1c."
He added: "Serious questions remain about the safety of some glucose lowering drugs, with scientific evidence and opposing opinions being largely ignored."
The impact of differing glucose-lowering regimens on the pattern of association between glucose control and survival. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism 9 November 2017 [abstract]
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