As reported in the New York Times for the first time, scientists have found evidence that a drug can reduce the the risk of complications from diabetes. The complications of diabetes, heart attack, strokes, and other cardiovascular damage are the top cause of death for diabetes patients. The team behind the drug Jaridance, Eli Lilly and its partner Boehringer Ingelheim are releasing information from their 7,000 patient study indicating their year-old drug had effectively delayed the time until a patient suffered a stroke or heart attack and delayed death from cardiovascular disease.
Preventing and reducing the complications of diabetes has been a long-elusive goal for those who suffer from diabetes and their doctors. Insulin and current diabetes medication can help control blood sugar levels, along with weight, not until now has a medication been shown to reduce the complications.
This is incredible news for the treatment of this chronic disease. Almost 10% of the American population suffers from Diabetes. And according to the CDC, diabetes is the most common chronic disease in children and adolescents, growing in frequency every year. Hopefully following years of wide testing this new medication will begin to save countless lives.