Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic condition where blood sugar levels are abnormally high due to the failure of insulin production (a hormone that regulates blood sugar). High blood sugar levels damage blood vessels, causing them to narrow and restricting blood flow. Therefore, individuals with diabetes have an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Studies have shown that patients with previous heart problems will benefit from aspirin use to reduce risk of future events by about one-fifth. According to the Health Service Executive (HSE) guidelines on diabetes, low dose aspirin is recommended for diabetic patients with increased heart attack risk. Patients without any risk should not commence on aspirin as risk of bleeding may outweigh the benefits.
This research will serve to investigate if aspirin is appropriately prescribe among diabetic patients in Cork, and will be conducted from June 2017 to September 2017. Approximately 400 clinical case notes of diabetic patients from Cork University Hospital Diabetic Outpatient Clinic, Cork and Elmwood Medical General Practice Centre in Douglas, Cork will be collected and analysed. The results of this study should inform clinical practioners on their standard of practice, and whether more education regarding risks and benefits of aspirin use in diabetic patients is required.