Curtin University researchers are investigating the cardiovascular benefits of basic pain relief pills for people with Type 2 diabetes. 

The study, led by Professor Christopher Reid of the Curtin School of Population Health, aims to determine if these accessible medications can reduce the risk of heart disease in diabetic patients who have no clinically evident cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Funded by a $2.84 million Medical Research Future Fund 2023 International Clinical Trial Collaborations grant, the study will involve 1000 participants, many from regional and rural Australia. 

This demographic focus is crucial, Professor Reid says. 

“The further a person lives from a metropolitan centre, the greater their risk of hospitalisation and death from CVD,” he noted, adding that these areas often see less frequent prescription of CVD medications.

The study will examine the anti-inflammatory effects of colchicine, a medication traditionally used to treat gout. 

Inflammation is increasingly recognised as a key factor in cardiovascular health, with recent research suggesting that anti-inflammatory drugs could mitigate CVD events. 

Unlike more expensive and injection-based anti-inflammatories like canakinumab, colchicine is a low-cost, well-tolerated oral medication.

Additionally, the trial will explore the efficacy of non-coated aspirin in preventing blood clots, particularly in the context of Type 2 diabetes. 

“More than half of people with Type 2 diabetes in these studies didn’t respond well to coated aspirin, but results improved dramatically when plain, non-coated aspirin was used,” Professor Reid said, 

In the long-term trial, named COLCOT-T2D, participants will take colchicine and/or non-coated aspirin twice daily to test the combination's effectiveness and safety.

The research could pave the way for more accessible and affordable treatment options for reducing cardiovascular risks among people with Type 2 diabetes, particularly in underserved regions.