What is the effect of intensive glucose control on cardiovascular outcomes and death in patients with diabetes mellitus?
A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials conducted by Ray KK et al. in 2009 concluded that intensive glucose control in patients with diabetes mellitus had a significant effect on reducing the risk of cardiovascular events and death compared to conventional treatment. This effect was largely driven by a decrease in myocardial infarction and stroke, with no significant difference in all-cause mortality. The study also showed that the intensity of glucose control had a greater effect on reducing cardiovascular events compared to other interventions such as blood pressure control and lipid lowering.