- Blood sugar. ACCORD will determine whether lowering blood glucose to a goal closer to normal than called for in current guidelines reduces CVD risk. The study will determine effects on CVD of that level compared with a level that is usually targeted.
- Blood pressure. Many people with type 2 diabetes have high blood pressure (HBP). The blood pressure part of the trial will determine the effects of lowering blood pressure in the context of good blood sugar control. ACCORD will determine whether lowering blood pressure to normal (<120mmHg systolic) will reduce CVD risk better compared to a usually-targeted level in current clinical practice, i.e., below the definition of hypertension (<140mmHg systolic).
- Blood Fats. Many people with diabetes have high levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as low levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol. ACCORD participants who are selected for this part of the trial will be assigned to an intervention that improves blood fat levels. This part of the study will look at the effects of lowering LDL cholesterol and blood triglycerides and increasing HDL cholesterol compared to an intervention that only lowers LDL cholesterol, all in the context of good blood sugar control. A drug from a class of drugs called “fibrates” will be used to lower triglycerides and increase HDL cholesterol, whereas a drug from the class of drugs called “statins” will be used to lower the LDL cholesterol.
“The ACCORD trial is extremely important for patients and their health-care providers,” said Denise Simons-Morton, M.D., ACCORD project officer. “The study will help determine the best ways to treat diabetic patients to prevent the most common and serious consequence of diabetes, which is cardiovascular disease,” she said.
All ACCORD participants will receive their blood sugar treatment from the study. Based on the additional part of the trial they are assigned to, participants will also receive their cholesterol or high blood pressure care from the study. Study participants will receive all medication and treatments related to the study free of charge. Patients who are selected and consent to participate in the ACCORD study will continue to see their personal physician for all their other health care.
“We have the potential to change the fundamental approach to the care of people with type 2 diabetes,” said Dr. Jeffrey Probstfield, member of the ACCORD Steering Committee, Professor of Medicine (Cardiology), University of Washington. “Participants in the study can feel assured that they will be helping millions of adults who have challenges to cardiovascular health much like their own,” he said.
To interview Dr. Jeffrey Probstfield of the ACCORD steering committee, call the University of Washington press office at (206) 685-4232. To interview Dr. Denise Simons-Morton, ACCORD project officer, call the NHLBI Communications Office at (301) 496-4236.
NHLBI is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Federal
Government’s primary agency for biomedical and behavioral research. NIH
is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NHLBI
press releases and other materials including information about high blood
pressure, high blood cholesterol, and heart disease, are available online
at www.nhlbi.nih.gov. More information
about the ACCORD study can be found on the web at www.accordtrial.org.
Information about diabetes can be found on the web at www.niddk.nih.gov.