Statin Induced Diabetes

Statin drugs now carry a US Food and Drug Administration warning that they may increase the risk of diabetes mellitus and may worsen glycemic control in patients who already have diabetes. Meta-analyses indicate that statin therapy is associated with an increased risk for diabetes of approximately 9 %. The risk for incident diabetes may be associated with higher doses and potencies of statins. Mechanisms explaining the potentially higher incidence of type 2 diabetes with statin therapy have not been fully elucidated, and statins differ considerably in terms of their effect on glucose metabolism and ultimately incident diabetes. It is widely accepted that the cardiovascular benefits associated with statin use greatly outweigh the risks for diabetes. However, the effect of different statins on glycemic parameters may influence thechoice of statin in those with risk factors for diabetes. Unlike the other stains, pitavastatin raises adiponectin levels, which in turn lowers insulin resistance and improves insulin secretion. Furthermore, numerous studies have concluded that pitavastatin and pravastatin do not affect glycemic control and may be favorable treatment options in patients with, or at risk for, type 2 diabetes.