Statin Use Linked to Increased Diabetes Risk in Elderly Women

According to a recent study, statin exposure was associated with increased risk of diabetes in elderly women, and the risk was dose-dependent.

While research has shown that statins reduce the risk for cardiovascular events and mortality, some studies have also suggested that the drugs could increase the risk for diabetes. However, such studies rarely include elderly women, so little is known about risk in this population.
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To address the limited knowledge on diabetes risk and statins exposure in elderly women, researchers performed an analysis of a population-based longitudinal cohort study that included 8372 Australian women born between 1921 and 1926, alive at January 1, 2003 and free of diabetes.

During the 10-year follow-up, 49% of participants filled a prescription for statins and 5% of participants initiated treatment for new-onset diabetes.

Researchers found that statin exposure was associated with a higher risk of treatment for new-onset diabetes (hazard ratio 1.33; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04–1.70; p=0.024), equating to a number needed to harm of 131 (95% CI 62–1079) for 5 years of exposure to statins.

In addition, the risk rose with increases in the dosage of the statin, with a hazard ratio of 1.17 (95% CI 0.84–1.65) for the lowest dose and a hazard ratio of 1.51 (95% CI 1.14–1.99) for the highest dose.

“The dose–response for statins on new onset of diabetes suggests elderly women should not be exposed to higher doses of statins. Elderly women currently taking statins should be carefully and regularly monitored for increased blood glucose to ensure early detection and appropriate management of this potential adverse effect, including consideration of de-prescribing,” the researchers concluded.

—Melissa Weiss

Reference:

Jones M, Tett S, Peeters GMEE, Mishra GD, Dobson A. New-onset diabetes after statin exposure in elderly women: the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health. Drugs &Aging. 2017;34(3)203-209.