Triglycerides: Emerging Targets in Diabetes Care? Review of Moderate Hypertriglyceridemia in Diabetes.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Moderate hypertriglyceridemia is exceedingly common in diabetes, and there is growing evidence that it contributes to residual cardiovascular risk in statin-optimized patients. Major fibrate trials yielded inconclusive results regarding the cardiovascular benefit of lowering triglycerides, although there was a signal for improvement among patients with high triglycerides and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-the "diabetic dyslipidemia" phenotype. Until recently, no trials have examined a priori the impact of triglyceride lowering in patients with diabetic dyslipidemia, who are likely among the highest cardiovascular-risk patients. RECENT FINDINGS: In the recent REDUCE IT trial, omega-3 fatty acid icosapent ethyl demonstrated efficacy in lowering cardiovascular events in patients with high triglycerides, low HDL, and statin-optimized low-density lipoprotein (LDL). The ongoing PROMINENT trial is examining the impact of pemafibrate in a similar patient population. Emerging evidence suggests that lowering triglycerides may reduce residual cardiovascular risk, especially in high-risk patients with diabetic dyslipidemia.

Duke Scholars

Author Anastasia Stefania Alexopoulos Medicine, Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition

Author Matthew Janik Crowley Medicine, Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition

Author Bryan Courtney Batch Medicine, Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition

Author John Richard Guyton Medicine, Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition