Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs Found To Increase Diabetes Risk

In 2010, The Lancet published a meta-analysis stating that after all stain drug use, there is a small increase of new-onset diabetes (diabetes that wasn't found prior to drug use). Following this finding, the Journal of American College of Cardiology published three more studies which all indicated the same result. Further analysis showed that this risk did not decrease significantly between small doses(10mg/day)vs. higher doses(80mg/day).

Authors of both studies concluded that the benefit of statin drugs far outweight the risks. The trials along with the analysis were sponsored by the manufacturer of atorvastatin.

Neither set of studies took into consideration the option of using the first-line of defense against high cholesterol- lifestyle changes. The group of patients given statin drugs were compared to those given a placebo. The questions come to mind are:

1. What if both groups were told to make lifestyle changes such as health diet and regular exercise, would this help prevent the increased risk of diabetes?

2. Better yet, what if patients who were given the drugs (without lifestyle changes)were compared to those who were NOT given any drugs but do make improvements on dietary habits and daily activity levels?

Take home message (from Lei): don't take drugs unless it's absolutely necessary, because they do pose side effects, some you may not even yet know about.