can pioglitazone reduce cardiovascular events in diabetes?
OBJECTIVE: The PROspective pioglitAzone Clinical Trial In macroVascular Events (PROactive) assesses the effect of pioglitazone, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor agonist, with anti-inflammatory and vascular properties, on the secondary prevention of macrovascular events in type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: PROactive is an on-going randomized, double-blind outcome study in patients with type 2 diabetes managed with diet and/or oral blood glucose-lowering drugs (combination of oral agents with insulin is permitted) who have a history of macrovascular disease. Patients are randomized to receive pioglitazone (forced titration from 15 to 30 to 45 mg, depending on tolerability) or placebo in addition to existing therapy. The primary end point is the time from randomization to occurrence of a new macrovascular event or death. Follow-up is estimated to span 4 years. RESULTS: A total of 5238 patients have been randomized from 19 countries. At entry into the study, patient
