Statin Usage Linked to Higher Risk of Contracting Type 2 diabetes

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A new study has shown that usage of statin (commonly used to reduce cholesterol) increases the chances of contracting type 2 diabetes significantly. The risk continues to remain in spite of taking into consideration smoking status, BMI and age.

The link that has been established between statin and diabetes has been known for quiet sometime. A study that was published in BMJ stated that certain statins – particularly rosuvastatin, atorvastatin and simvastatin – increased the risk of contracting diabetes by about 22%.

The researchers of the latest study, however state that the studies conducted in the past had several limitations. Several such studies included people who had a high risk of contracting cardiovascular disease. Hence, the findings of such studies may not be true for the general masses.

Researchers further went on to note that these studies included participants who self-reported the diabetes condition or it was considered on the basis of the fasting glucose measurements. This in turn might underestimate the number of diabetes cases.

The fluctuation of blood sugar (red) and the sugar-lowering hormone insulin (blue) in humans during the course of a day with three meals. One of the effects of a sugar-rich vs a starch-rich meal is highlighted. Image Sources by : Wikimedia

Prof. Laakso and his team of researchers went on to analyse the effect of the usage of statin on 8,749 Caucasian, non-diabetic men who were aged between 45 to 73 years. These participants were also part of the METSIM study.