Do statins cause diabetes?
A detailed analysis of medical histories, medical records and other patient data showed a real picture of how efforts to reduce the number of heart diseases increase the risk of another serious medical problem – diabetes mellitus.
Statins are a group of medications that lower blood cholesterol and blood pressure, and therefore protect against heart attack and stroke. According to recent estimates, more than a quarter of middle-aged adults take a cholesterol-lowering drug.
The analysis by Victoria Zigmont and colleagues from Ohio State University used medical data from 4683 men and women for 2011-2014 who did not suffer from diabetes, were at risk of cardiovascular diseases, but had not yet taken statins at the beginning of the study. About 16% (755 patients) were prescribed statins during the study period. The average age of the participants was 46 years.
Researchers have found that when taking statins, the risk of diabetes is more than twice as high as in other people. Continuous use of statins for more than two years increased the risk of developing diabetes by three times.
The correlation between the duration of statin treatment and a higher risk of diabetes is a so–called dose-dependent effect and, possibly, a causal relationship.
The researchers also found that statins increased the likelihood of glycated hemoglobin HbA1c, characteristic of long-term hyperglycemia, by 6.5%.
The authors acknowledge that statins effectively prevent heart attacks and strokes, and do not recommend stopping the prescribed treatment.
Scientists and clinicians should continue to study the mechanisms of the effect of statins on human metabolism, in particular the interaction between lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. In addition, it is necessary to think about how statins affect human health in general in order to take into account both the risks and benefits.
The study took into account various available data on patients, including biometric parameters (body mass index, abdominal circumference), concomitant diseases, social status, ethnicity, bad habits, gender and age.
The researchers could not determine which statins and in what dosage could lead to the greatest risk. Other disadvantages of the study included the predominantly Caucasian race of the participants, as well as the inability to track patients' adherence to treatment.
The authors write about the need for a large cohort study to further study and discuss ways to prevent diabetes and inform patients about possible risks. Patients taking statins should closely monitor their blood glucose levels. The authors urge clinicians to recommend them increased physical activity and adherence to the principles of a healthy diet.
Article V. A. Zigmont et al. Statin users have an elevated risk of dysglycemia and new‐onset‐diabetes published in the journal Diabetes Metabolism Research and Reviews.
Aminat Adzhieva, portal "Eternal Youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru based on Ohio State News: Cholesterol medication could invite diabetes, study suggests.