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A recent analysis of data from multiple clinical trials has revealed that statins, commonly prescribed for cardiovascular health, may elevate the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in individuals without the condition. However, the cardiovascular benefits of statins still outweigh the risks associated with increased glucose levels, according to the study’s findings.
The research, conducted by the Cholesterol Treatment Trialists’ (CTT) Collaboration and published in Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, involved examining data from 23 randomized trials involving over 150,000 participants. The analysis focused on individuals who did not have diabetes at the start of the trials.
Results showed that statin therapy led to a dose-dependent increase in the risk of diabetes diagnosis among participants, particularly those whose blood sugar levels were already near the threshold for diabetes. However, despite the elevated risk of diabetes, the benefits of statins in reducing major cardiovascular events were deemed to outweigh the drawbacks.
Dr. Christina Reith and Dr. David Preiss from the University of Oxford, who co-led the CTT Collaboration, highlighted that while statins can raise glucose levels, the clinical benefits in preventing cardiovascular events are substantial. They emphasized that routine monitoring of glucose levels after starting statin therapy may not be necessary, but individuals should continue to be screened for diabetes according to current guidelines.
In a related editorial, Dr. Hertzel C. Gerstein and Dr. Marie Pigeyre from McMaster University underscored the importance of holistic care for individuals prescribed statins. They suggested that alongside statin therapy, strategies to prevent or delay diabetes, such as weight management and increased physical activity, should be promoted.
The meta-analysis revealed that the risk of developing diabetes with statin therapy was higher among individuals with higher baseline blood sugar levels. Additionally, statins were found to elevate glucose levels in individuals with pre-existing diabetes. Despite these findings, the absolute increase in cardiovascular risk associated with not taking statins was greater than the increased risk of developing diabetes.
While the study sheds light on the relationship between statins and diabetes risk, further research is needed to fully understand the implications of these findings for clinical practice. Nevertheless, the study underscores the importance of balancing the benefits and risks of statin therapy for cardiovascular health.
