The researchers from Harvard Medical School found that the cardiovascular benefits of statins were more than the potential risk of development of diabetes. The study was published in Lancet, reported that some study participants were developed diabetes, obesity and hypertension while taking the statins. In this population, statistically significant decrease of cardiovascular risks and events were found.

According to Dr. Paul Ridker, investigator of the study and scientist of Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, use of statins can save lives and significantly prevent life-threatening incidences of myocardial infarction and atherosclerotic injuries. The beneficial effects of statins outweigh some undesirable effects such as development of diabetes in some people and statins are regarded to be a choice of drug for physicians and patients. The study results can improve the knowledge about statins and obesity can be treated effectively, if statins are prescribed appropriately with lifestyle modifications such as balanced diet, regular exercise, cessation of alcohol and smoking habits, he added.  

The research team selected 17, 600 participants after analyzed the participant’s clinical history of obesity and these volunteers were randomly given 20 mg of Rosuvastatin, daily for five years and placebo to the rest.

The results showed that the Rosuvastatin significantly prevented cardiovascular disorders (CVD) in 134 participants and contribute to the pathogenesis of diabetes or its associated risk factors. Statins considerably decreased the CVD incidences in 39% of study participants and prevented mortality rates in 17% of participants, when compared to placebo group.

In participants with diabetes risk, at least 28% people were more likely to develop diabetes, when compared to same risk population who were administered with placebo. When compared to placebo group, the volunteers without diabetes risk were less prone to CVD by 52% and the mortality rate decreased by 22% during the study period.

According to Judy O’Sullivan who works as Senior Cardiac Nurse at British Heart Foundation, statins can cause potential benefits and adverse events, but statins outweigh the risk by saving patient’s life. However, the patients should take statins as prescribed by physicians and they should consult the physician about adverse events and individuals with risk of diabetes, she says.

The researchers suggest that the study participants to monitor the serum glucose levels regularly, only if these people are ‘at-risk’ individuals.

The study was funded by grant form AstraZeneca, a leading manufacturer of statins.