ABSTRACT
AIMS: The MICRO-HOPE substudy demonstrated that when ramipril treatment was added to people with Type 2 diabetes and additional cardiovascular risk factors cardiovascular events were reduced by 25% in 4.5 years. We wished to determine the proportion of people with Type 2 diabetes and additional cardiovascular risk factors registered with a hospital diabetes service. METHODS: Non-proteinuric people (n = 1370) with Type 2 diabetes identified on our diabetes register were subject to analysis. Anticipated reductions in cardiovascular events due to ramipril treatment were based on reductions observed in the MICRO-HOPE substudy. RESULTS: Non-proteinuric people (n = 1075 (78%)) with Type 2 diabetes had at least one additional cardiovascular risk factor. Twenty-nine percent were already taking an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. The remaining 764 patients were similar to ramipril-treated participants in the MICRO-HOPE substudy. Treatment with ramipril for 4.5 years would be anticipated to reduce cardiovascular deaths by 26, revascularization procedures by 19 and admissions for myocardial infarction and stroke by 18 and 26, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Of non-proteinuric people with Type 2 diabetes, 78% have additional cardiovascular risk factors. Only a small proportion currently receive treatment with an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor. The incidence of cardiovascular events could be reduced if more patients were treated with ramipril and other cardiovascular risk factors were addressed.