Prior studies have suggested that high-doses of aspirin might have an effect on blood sugar control. However, chronic, low-dose aspirin does not prevent the development of type 2 diabetes in otherwise healthy women, according to a study published in the January 2009 issue of Diabetes Care.

Prior studies have suggested that high-doses of aspirin might have an effect on blood sugar control. However, chronic, low-dose aspirin does not prevent the development of type 2 diabetes in otherwise healthy women, according to a study published in the January 2009 issue of Diabetes Care .

Investigators from Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts evaluated 38,716 women aged 45 and older in order to determine whether chronic low-dose aspirin use prevented the development of diabetes. These women were randomly assigned to receive either low-dose aspirin or placebo for an average follow-up period of approximately 10 years. The investigators found that there was no statistically significance in the likelihood of developing diabetes between the two groups, suggesting that long-term, low-dose aspirin does not prevent diabetes.

Beyond its apparent failure to prevent the development of diabetes, it's important to note that, even at the low dose evaluated in this clinical trial, the use of aspirin was associated with a significant increase in bleeding risk. Therefore, the risks of benefits of aspirin use need to be carefully evaluated in all patients.

Source

Diabetes Care. 2008;32:3-8.