Statins are a class of drugs that are commonly prescribed to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. They work by inhibiting the production of cholesterol in the liver.

However, recent studies have shown that statins may be associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes mellitus.

What is diabetes mellitus?

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease characterized by high levels of blood glucose (sugar). There are two main types of diabetes mellitus.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, a hormone that regulates blood glucose levels. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is a metabolic disorder in which the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough insulin to regulate blood glucose levels.

How are statins linked to diabetes mellitus?

Several studies have suggested that statins may increase the risk of developing diabetes mellitus, particularly in individuals with pre-existing risk factors for diabetes, such as obesity, insulin resistance, and impaired glucose tolerance.

A study published in the Lancet in 2010 analyzed data from several clinical trials involving statin therapy. The study found that statin therapy increased the risk of developing diabetes mellitus by 9 percent, compared to placebo or usual care.

The risk was even higher for high-dose statin therapy.

Another study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology in 2013 analyzed data from over 8,000 patients with coronary artery disease who were treated with statins.

The study found that the risk of developing diabetes mellitus was significantly higher in patients who were treated with high-dose statins compared to those who were treated with low-dose statins or placebo.

While the exact mechanism by which statins increase the risk of diabetes mellitus is not fully understood, some researchers hypothesize that statins may impair glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity, and increase beta-cell apoptosis, which can lead to impaired insulin secretion.

What are the implications of these findings?

The findings of these studies have important implications for the use of statins in patients at risk for diabetes mellitus.

Although statins are highly effective in reducing cardiovascular events, the increased risk of diabetes mellitus associated with their use should be taken into consideration when deciding whether to prescribe statin therapy.

In particular, patients with pre-existing risk factors for diabetes mellitus, such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, or a family history of diabetes, should be screened for diabetes mellitus before initiating statin therapy.

Patients who are already on statin therapy should also be regularly monitored for the development of diabetes mellitus, especially if they have additional risk factors for diabetes.

Conclusion

Despite their proven effectiveness in reducing cardiovascular events, statins may be associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes mellitus, especially in patients with pre-existing risk factors for diabetes.

The findings of recent studies suggest that patients at risk for diabetes should be closely monitored when taking statins. Clinicians should carefully assess each patient’s risk profile and consider the potential risks and benefits of statin therapy when deciding whether to prescribe statins.