Peer Reviewed
Perspectives

Statin therapy and dysglycaemia: is this clinically important?

Leon A Simons
Abstract
The cardiovascular benefits of statin therapy in relevant patients greatly outweigh the adverse effects of the increased glycaemia these drugs cause, as shown in this discussion of relevant trials.
Key Points
  • The cardiovascular disease (CVD) benefits of statin therapy in relevant patients heavily outweigh adverse glycaemic effects.
  • Patients using statins should be informed of the small increase in the risk of new-onset diabetes that taking statins involves, and that it may relate in part to an increase in bodyweight or the presence of other major risk factors for diabetes.
  • These risk factors require regular monitoring, and weight gain should be avoided by attention to diet and exercise.

    Picture credit: © Skynesher/iStockphoto. Model used for illustrative purposes only.

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