Cholesterol-lowering statins cause diabetes (and dementia)
Cholesterol-lowering statins are the most prescribed drug family in the world – and they could be contributing to several diseases associated with ageing. For the past 10 years, WDDTY has pointed out that they cause dementia and cognitive decline in the elderly – now new research suggests they also cause diabetes.
People on high-dose statin therapy are especially at risk, but it also exists for those on moderate doses, say researchers from the University of Glasgow.
In a study that involved 32,752 people taking a statin, 8.4 per cent – 2,749 – developed diabetes.
(Source: Journal of the American Medical Association, 2011; 305: 2556).