Diabetes Hongkong Statement on a report in the New England Journal of Medicine regarding the cardiovascular safety of rosiglitazone (Avandia)

On May 21, 2007, the New England Journal of Medicine published a report saying that rosiglitazone (Avandia) may increase the risk of heart attacks and related mortalities in patients with diabetes. Diabetes Hongkong would like to clarify that this study is not definitive.

Whilst we agree that the report raises concern about possible cardiovascular risk associated with the use of rosiglitazone, we are aware that the paper is based on methodology with substantial weaknesses as acknowledged by the authors and the accompanying editorial, and that the results generated could easily be biased and are still controversial.

Pending further evaluation (from the FDA) and results from specific well-designed study addressing the question of cardiovascular risks with the use of rosiglitazone, Diabetes Hongkong is of the view that patients on ‘rosiglitazone’ with stable diabetes control and without significant adverse effect have no immediate urgency to stop the drug themselves. Rather, we encourage patients to talk with your physicians about the risks and benefits of continuation of glitazone therapy versus switching to alternative treatments.