Statins increase risk of diabetes by almost 50 per cent, study finds !

Research on 9,000 men has found those taking statins are 47 per cent more likely to develop diabetes - but critics say the study fails to take proper account of the reasons why.

Statins prescribed to guard against heart attacks and strokes could increase the risk of diabetes by almost 50 per cent, a major trial suggests.

A six-year study from Finland on almost 9,000 men found that those prescribed the cholesterol-lowering drugs were far more likely to suffer from poor blood sugar control, and signs of diabetes.

Researchers found that after results were adjusted for age, body mass index, family history of diabetes, and smoking, alcohol and exercise habits, those on statins were 46 per cent more likely to develop diabetes.

However, some experts criticised the research, as it was not a randomised controlled trial.

Those being prescribed statins were already likely to have a higher risk of diabetes, they said, given that both conditions are linked to lifestyle.

Full story here.

Eddie