A team of researchers from the University College in London and the University of Glasgow have conducted research that shows that people who take statin drugs are at greater risk of contracting type 2 diabetes.
Genetic data from 223,463 people was analysed, together with data from the 129,170 people who participated in the trails that tested the effects of statins on stroke and heart disease. The findings have been published in the Lancet medical journal.
The study was conducted using statins and placebo medications. Once the data was analysed it was discovered that the people taking the statin medications had a 12% greater risk of getting type 2 diabetes over a 4 year period than the placebo group. It was also shown that the group taking the statins gained an additional 250g in weight.
Co-author Dr. David Preiss of the University of Glasgow Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences says in a statement: “Weight gain is a risk factor for diabetes, which might help explain the small increased risk of diabetes observed in people taking statins.”
The researchers also made it clear that statins prevent heart attacks and stokes and that people should continue to take take any prescribed statins.
Click on this link to read the abstract of the study published in the Lancet
