What is the effect of pioglitazone on 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 11.8% among placebo recipients to 9.0% among pioglitazone recipients. Active treatment, however, was associated with weight gain and increased bone fracture risk.