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Approximately 9 million Americans are affected by peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and people with diabetes are the most at risk, according to Alan T. Hirsch, director of the vascular medicine program at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. Dr. Reena L. Pande, a fellow in cardiovascular medicine at Brigham & Women?s Hospital, says research shows that 52 percent of people with PAD display signs of metabolic syndrome. A direct measure of insulin resistance called the homeostasis model of insulin resistance was correlated to PAD in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Pande says it is logical that inflammation is related to PAD as well as insulin resistance. She notes that it has not yet been proven if enhancing insulin resistance would improve outcomes in PAD. However, reducing inflammation with statins has demonstrated a reduction in incidence of claudication, improvement in walking distance, and an increase in more pain-free walking. "Theoretically it makes sense that if we can improve insulin sensitivity at the level of the skeletal muscle in the lower extremity, we may be able to get patients walking further and walking with less discomfort. But that data are not yet known,? according to Pande.
Author: Rusk, Judith
Source: http://www.cardiologytoday.com/view.aspx?rID=41308
Abstract News © Copyright 2008 INFORMATION, INC.
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