Analysis of glycemic status in diabetes-naïve patients on statins: A hospital-based cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and meta-analysis suggest risk of hyperglycemia in patients on statins, and this association is being viewed with renewed interest globally. The present study has tried to explore the possible diabetogenic effect of statins, the mechanism of this effect, and various comorbidities associated with this causation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out at the Department of Cardiology from October 2015 to March 2017. Patients on statins for at least 1 year and normoglycemic at the time of statin initiation were recruited in the study. The outcome of the present study was development of new-onset diabetes mellitus (NODM). Blood glucose levels and insulin levels were estimated. Other adverse reactions of statins and associated comorbidities in the patients were recorded. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze adverse drug reactions.

RESULTS: A total of 104 patients met the inclusion criteria, of which eight patients (7.7%) developed NODM and 4 (3.8%) developed prediabetes. Atorvastatin 40 mg was most commonly prescribed statin. About 25% of patients taking atorvastatin 80 mg developed diabetes.

CONCLUSION: Statins have a mild-to-moderate risk of developing NODM. The dose of statins is an important factor that increases the risk of diabetes in statin users.