Diabetes Risk Attributed to Statins Exaggerated?

A new study published in the journal The Lancet reveals that the risk of diabetes posed by cholesterol lowering drugs, or statins, has been exaggerated and the cardiovascular benefits of such drugs outweigh any such risks. The study was conducted by researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital who found that while statins did increase the risk of diabetes in users, it was only among those who were already deemed to be at a high risk of developing the condition.

The researchers found that the risk of diabetes was higher among only those statin users who had at least one major risk factor for developing the disease. “From my perspective, the clinical message is very simple. The cardiovascular benefits of statins outweigh the diabetes hazard even in those with the highest risk for developing diabetes. These high-risk patients were well on their way to developing diabetes already”, lead researcher Paul Ridker said.

Source-Medindia