Guidelines on the prescription of statins for postmenopausal women should not be changed despite evidence linking the medications with an increased risk of diabetes, Australian experts say.
An American study of more than 150,000 postmenopausal women aged 50 to 79 found those taking the lipid-lowering medications had 48% more risk of developing diabetes.
The research, which took place from 1993 to 1998 with ongoing follow-up until 2005, adds to a growing body of evidence linking statins to the onset of diabetes.
But the authors recommended in the Archives of Internal Medicine that guidelines not be changed.
Australian experts agreed with the view.
“We’re dealing with a high-risk population for cardiovascular disease,” said Professor of Metabolic Health at the University of Sydney, Stephen Colagiuri.
“Somebody considered to...
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