A daily "polypill" for type 2 diabetics, which combines low-dose aspirin with drugs to lower cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar, could prevent 7.2 million deaths and disabilities from diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
The ADA used a mathematical model called Archimedes to determine the effects of several interventions on diabetes. The polypill, for example, could reduce the risk of heart attack among diabetics by 50 percent, kidney failure by 21 percent and blindness and eye surgery by 33 percent, the model found.
Further, over the next three decades, Archimedes predicted that:
A diabetes cure would eliminate 1.4 million serious complications each year, and save over $700 billion.
If everyone with diabetes got the best care available, there would be 18 million fewer deaths and complications and a $325 billion reduction in medical costs.
If 80 percent of those with diabetes got the best care, there would be a 60 percent reduction in risk of diabetes complications and $150 billion saved in health care costs.
A separate study found that an experimental new class of drugs known as DPP-4 (dipeptidyl peptidase-4) inhibitors could enhance the body's ability to lower blood sugar. The drugs, Januvia made by Merck and Galvus made by Novartis, are under review by the Food and Drug Administration.
Both drugs appear to be effective at lowering high blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes, without weight gain or other side effects.
