Cardiometabolic risk factors and their treatment in patients with Type 2 diabetes

Abstract

The prevalence of obesity-associated diabetes is increasing dramatically in the UK and worldwide. Obesity, particularly abdominal obesity, is not only associated with other cardiovascular risk factors, but is an independent cardiometabolic risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Thus, the focus of obesity management, especially in patients with prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes, should encompass cardiometabolic risk reduction as well as weight loss. Lifestyle and diet modification should form the basis of all effective strategies for weight reduction. Pharmacotherapy provides an additional option that is appropriate in some individuals, alongside lifestyle modification, to improve cardiometabolic risk. Drugs currently available include antidiabetic agents, statins, fibrates, antihypertensives and weight-loss drugs.

Keywords::

• cardiometabolic risk
• lifestyle modification
• obesity
• orlistat
• pharmacotherapy
• rimonabant
• sibutramine
• Type 2 diabetes