What is the effect of pioglitazone on risk for recurrent stroke or TIA in patients with ischemic stroke and insulin resistance?
The IRIS trial (Insulin Resistance Intervention After Stroke) examined the effect of the insulin-sensitizing agent pioglitazone compared with placebo among patients without diabetes who had a recent ischemic stroke and insulin resistance. After a mean of 3.8 years, pioglitazone reduced the risk of recurrent stroke or TIA from 11.8% among placebo recipients to 9.0% among pioglitazone recipients. Active treatment, however, was associated with weight gain and increased bone fracture risk.