Use of statins and the risk of developing pre-diabetes and diabetes: a longitudinal study in individuals aged 40 years or older

Background: Statins are the main therapeutic option for the control of dyslipidemias and cardiovascular prevention. However, studies indicate the possibility of the use of statins cause increases in blood glucose levels. Aim: The aim of the study was to analyze the use of statin and the risk of developing pre-diabetes (DM) or DM. Methods: This was a cohort study conducted with individuals aged 40 years or older, living in a medium-sized municipality in the north of Parana, Brazil. Data were obtained through individual interviews and laboratory tests in the years 2011 (baseline) and 2015 (follow-up). Dependent variables were the development of DM (yes; no) and the development of pre-DM or DM (yes; no). The independent variable was the use of statins (no use; use only in 2011; use only in 2015; use in 2011 and 2015). Poisson (loglinear) regression analysis was used to calculate the relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) in generalized linear models. Results: An association was observed between the use of statins and the incidence of DM (RR 2.89, 95% CI: 1.59-5.24) and the incidence of pre-DM or DM (RR 2.01, 95% CI: 1.39-2.92) for the group of individuals who used statins only in 2015. Conclusions: The present study identified an association between the use of statins and the incidence of pre-DM and DM only for those who used them exclusively in 2015.