Aspirin dose for prevention of cardiovascular disease in diabetics.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a specific dose of aspirin can be recommended for prevention of cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetes.

DATA SOURCE: Biomedical literature was accessed through MEDLINE (1990-February 2002). Key terms included diabetes, cardiovascular protection, and aspirin.

DATA SYNTHESIS: Pharmacologic and clinical studies focusing on the dose-response relationship of aspirin therapy were reviewed. Evidence supports the benefit of low-dose aspirin therapy in reducing vascular events in secondary and primary prevention trials in various patient populations; however, some studies suggest larger doses of aspirin may be needed in certain patients.

CONCLUSIONS: Review of the evidence does not support a particular dose of aspirin for cardiovascular protection in diabetic patients. Clinical guidelines recommend aspirin therapy in the range of 81-325 mg/d. However, due to an increased prevalence of cardiovascular morbidity and disturbances in coagulation in diabetic patients, the dose of aspirin for prevention of cardiovascular disease in these individuals may be different from that in other populations and requires further evaluation.