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Statins in diabetes treatment: risks and opportunities for patients!
Find out the latest findings on diabetes and statins, presented by experts at the seminar in Wiesbaden on June 16, 2025.
Statins in diabetes treatment: risks and opportunities for patients!
What's new in the world of diabetes? At a recent seminar in Wiesbaden, Prof. Dr. Stephan Martin presented exciting news on the topics of gestational diabetes, type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. The presentation by Prof. Dr. Andreas Hamann on the influence of statins on blood sugar levels. Because how Medscape reports, research shows that statin therapy can slightly increase blood sugar in non-diabetics.
Statins, known as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, are the most commonly prescribed cholesterol-lowering drugs. They have been shown to be effective in reducing cardiovascular risks such as heart attacks and strokes. The risk of vascular events decreases by 22% for every 1 mmol/L reduction in LDL cholesterol. Nevertheless, current studies show that patients taking statin therapy have a moderately increased risk of developing diabetes.
The risk of diabetes with statins
The different risks associated with the use of statins were examined in detail. Hamann's study shows that HbA1c levels increase by 0.06 to 0.08 percentage points in diabetics - a minimal but not insignificant change ( Medical Journal ). According to recent findings, the intensity of statin therapy also correlates with the risk of diabetes: with high-intensity treatment the risk increases by 36% compared to placebo, while with moderate therapy it is “only” increased by 10%.
But what is behind this worrying development? Loud PMC The worsening of glucose levels could be caused by various mechanisms, e.g. B. due to impaired insulin sensitivity or reduced beta cell function.
Recommendations for patients
For people who already have diabetes, the results show that blood sugar levels can worsen with statin therapy, and today none of these aspects go unnoticed by patients. Dr. Anja Vogt also spoke about the importance of enlightenment. She emphasizes that it is important to inform patients about the benefits and risks of statin therapy without being asked.
Follow-up care was highlighted as essential, particularly with regard to women with gestational diabetes or type 1 diabetes. Approximately 7.4% of all pregnancies experience gestational diabetes, which can pose future health risks for affected women, including an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
Conclusion: Despite certain risks that are expected in diabetics, treatment with statins remains crucial for the prevention of cardiovascular disease. An informed decision and discussion about treatment options remains essential. Therefore, both patients and doctors should work closely together when planning treatment to achieve the best health outcomes.