Aspirin for Primary Prevention

Aspirin for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Events in Diabetes

Still an Open Question

Antonio Nicolucci, MD 

JAMA. 2008;300(18):(doi:10.1001/jama.2008.625).

The use of aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular events in individuals with diabetes is widely recommended byexisting guidelines, but the evidence supporting its efficacy is surprisingly scarce.¹ Recommendations seem based mainly onextrapolations from data from other high-risk groups, rather than on solid data derived from studies conducted specifically in patients with diabetes. Indeed, an increasing amount of evidence suggests that the efficacy of antiplatelet therapy in patients with diabetes may be lower than in individuals without diabetes.²