The News on NCEP III

STUDY

Executive summary of the third report of The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III).

SUMMARY

Background. The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) has developed new guidelines for evaluating risk for cardiac disease. These new guidelines utilize the Framingham Point Score in determining risk assessment of new cardiac events within a 10-year period.

New Features. Previously, diabetes was considered to be one of several risk factors in the development of cardiac disease, including hypertension and family history of early cardiac disease. Based on new data, the Expert Panel has now recommended that the presence of diabetes be considered equivalent to the presence of established cardiac disease. The panel has also placed a new emphasis on identification of the metabolic syndrome and its management through early lifestyle modification interventions.

Conclusion. Diabetes is no longer considered to be a major risk factor, but rather is considered a cardiac disease equivalent. This should lead to more aggressive preventive measures among diabetic patients and, ultimately, to lower cardiovascular morbidity and mortality among these patients. The metabolic syndrome is now a secondary target of risk-reduction therapy.

COMMENTARY

History of Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease

Although the direct linkage between glycemic control and atherosclerotic disease has not been established, diabetes has long been associated with a marked increase in risk for coronary heart disease. Recent surveys have attributed 75% of the morbidity associated …