A new meta-analysis looked at whether routinely screening people with diabetes for hidden heart disease can prevent heart attacks, strokes, or deaths. The analysis included 3,315 adults with diabetes and no known coronary artery disease.
The researchers found that screening did not significantly reduce major cardiovascular outcomes. The effect size was 0.76 with a 95% confidence interval of 0.48 to 1.19, which means the result was not statistically significant. In other words, the study did not show a clear benefit from screening.
The analysis also looked at how many cases screening detected and what happened afterward, such as additional testing or procedures. However, reporting on false-positive results and procedure-related harms was incomplete and inconsistent across the studies. One large trial could not be directly combined with the others for the main outcome.
The main takeaway is that routine screening for silent heart disease in people with diabetes and no symptoms did not improve outcomes in this analysis. Testing may still be useful when a doctor thinks the result would change how a person is treated. Anyone with diabetes should talk with their doctor about their own heart health and whether any testing is right for them.
Common questions
Does screening for silent heart disease help people with diabetes?
In this meta-analysis of 3,315 adults with diabetes and no known coronary artery disease, screening did not significantly reduce major cardiovascular outcomes, cardiovascular mortality, or all-cause mortality. The result was not statistically significant. This suggests routine screening may not improve outcomes for this group, but testing may still be useful when a doctor expects the result to change treatment.
Were there any harms from screening reported in the study?
The analysis looked at reported screening-related harms, but reporting on false-positive results and procedure-related harms was incomplete and inconsistent across the included studies. Because of this, the study could not provide a clear picture of how often screening led to unnecessary tests or procedures. More complete reporting would be needed to understand these risks.
Who was included in this meta-analysis?
The study included 3,315 asymptomatic adults with diabetes and no known coronary artery disease. They were part of a meta-analysis of randomized trials comparing systematic screening for silent myocardial ischemia or occult coronary artery disease with no systematic screening or usual care. The follow-up time and setting were not reported in the summary.
