The risk that statins – drugs designed to reduce risk of heart disease – will also cause diabetes isn’t strong enough to avoid taking the drugs, according to a new study.
Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston said that for every 54 cases of new-onset diabetes among patients who took statins, 134 “cardiovascular events” were prevented.
Among those who took statins but were not at risk of diabetes, 86 cardiovascular events were prevented, and there were no cases of diabetes, the experts said.
Statins (which include Lipitor and Zocor) are among the most widely prescribed medicines in the world. They are designed to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. Earlier studies have indicated that the use of statins could increase the risk of diabetes.
The study was published in the British medical journal “The Lancet.” “From my perspective,” lead researcher Paul Ludker said in a statement, “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."
