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Aspirin can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes in people over 65, but increases the risk of serious bleeding.
In the study, subjects were given 100 mg of aspirin every day. Adobe Stock / AOP
Aspirin taken daily can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the elderly.
The result comes from a study in which 16,000 test subjects were given 100 milligrams of aspirin, or acetylsalicylic acid, or alternatively a placebo every day.
The patients were over 65 years old. The patients did not suffer from type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease at the start of the follow-up, but during the follow-up, diabetes was found in 6%. Follow-up was carried out for an average of five years.
The results show that diabetes was found about 15 percent less often in patients who had taken daily aspirin. In addition, their blood glucose levels rose more slowly than those taking a placebo.
The study was published in the Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology journal and it utilized the materials of the ASPREE study.
The same study found that aspirin medication increases the risk of serious bleeding in the elderly. Long-term use of acetylsalicylic acid is known to increase the risk of bleeding, and this was also observed in this study. Acetylsalicylic acid predisposes to bleeding because it inhibits the function of blood platelets involved in blood clotting.
The risk of developing gastrointestinal bleeding, intracranial bleeding, or other significant bleeding was 40 percent higher in those on medication than in controls.
Type 2 diabetes is largely a lifestyle disease, but there have also been indications that inflammation plays a role. Low-dose acetylsalicylic acid relieves inflammation and this probably explains the results. However, in many patients, the benefits of acetylsalicylic acid may be smaller than the bleeding risk caused by the medication.
Aspirin is safe to use to relieve pain and aches. If the doctor has prescribed a medicine, it is used according to the doctor’s instructions. The medicine must not be used continuously for longer than 3–5 days without a doctor’s prescription.
The most common side effect of anti-inflammatory drugs is irritation of the digestive tract, which can manifest as heartburn or stomach pain.
MORE ON THE SUBJECT
Type 2 diabetes
- Type 2 diabetes develops gradually over several years. The disease is often diagnosed by chance, as it does not cause strong symptoms.
- Symptoms of type 2 diabetes can include fatigue, especially after a meal, irritability or low body, leg aches or changes in sensation and impaired vision, as well as sensitivity to various infections. Other symptoms of high blood sugar include large amounts of urine, dehydration and increased thirst.
- The form of treatment for type 2 diabetes is lifestyle therapy, i.e. losing excess weight, increasing exercise and changes in eating habits that promote health and blood sugar control.
- Drug treatment that lowers blood sugar is started if treatment goals cannot be reached with lifestyle therapy.
- Obesity, and especially central obesity, is one of the most significant risk factors for diabetes.
- Other risk factors for type 2 diabetes include cardiovascular disease, gestational diabetes, smoking, lack of sleep, lack of exercise and an unhealthy diet.
- About one third of people have a hereditary tendency to develop type 2 diabetes. A mere hereditary predisposition rarely leads to illness if the person maintains a healthy lifestyle.
Sources: Health Library, IL archive
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