Insulin resistance - the new goal!

Diabetes mellitus is a well-recognized risk-factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). Epidemiological studies have shown that the risk of CAD increases two to sixfold in patients with type 2 diabetes compared with those without the disease. Furthermore the prevalence of diabetes in the UK has increased by 30% since 1991 and the world population of people with diabetes in 2010 is expected to be twice that of 1990. In addition whilst the mortality from CAD in patients without diabetes has declined over the past 20 years the mortality in men with type 2 diabetes has not changed and in women may have increased. UKPDS and other studies have shown a significant improvement in the onset and course of microvascular complications with good diabetic control. However the same is not true for macrovascular complications for which there is no good evidence of improvement with better diabetic control. This apparent lack of benefit from improved care of diabetic patients has led to many different approaches. These include attempts to achieve even better glycaemic control, greater emphasis on other risk factors particularly hypertension and interestingly attention to the prediabetic state characterized by insulin resistance (IR). The latter is associated with a number of abnormalities which could play a causative role in the development of cardiovascular disease. This article will review the concept of IR and the possible interventions available to tackle it.