Researchers discovered that medications based on fenofibrate, used to lower cholesterol, reduce the incidences of amputation by 36% in people suffering from type 2 diabetes.
Forced amputation, which is performed on close to one out of 10 diabetics, is done when the disease leads to damaged nerves and blood vessels.
Conducted on close to 10 000 patients aged 50 to 75, the study demonstrated that the drug reduced the risk of amputation, contrary to placebo and drugs used for coronary diseases.
The authors, whose research is published in the scientific journal The Lancet, claim that their discovery could modify treatments offered to patients.