Statins can delay insulin use and reduce diabetes-related diseases in Asian patients with type 2 diabetes.
We evaluated the role of statins in delaying insulin use and diabetes-related diseases in Asian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) because statins can cause new-onset diabetes.We used data from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database in this retrospective cohort study. The 12,470 T2DM patients were categorized into 2 cohorts: a statin cohort comprising 2545 patients who received statin therapy for at least 6 months (180 days) before the index date and a nonstatin cohort comprising 9925 patients who did not receive statin therapy. The control-to-case ratio was set at approximately 4:1. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed to evaluate the risk of diabetes-related events and insulin use on receiving statin treatment.Patients in the statin cohort had a 48% lower risk of diabetes-related coma than those in the nonstatin cohort (95% confidence interval = 0.29-0.92). Patients with >730 days of statin therapy had a significantly lower risk of insulin use, diabetes-related disorders of the eye and neurons, and peripheral circulatory disorders. Compared with patients in the nonstatin cohort, the risk of insulin use, diabetes-related coma, and diabetes-related disorders of the eye and neurons was lower in patients on a cumulative defined daily dose (cDDD) of statins for >475 days.These results suggest that longer duration of statin use and higher cDDD of statins can delay insulin use in Asian patients with T2DM.
From the Institute of Public Health and Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung (HHC, CJY); Division of Metabolism & Endocrinology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua (HHC); Division of Metabolism & Endocrinology, Nantou Christian Hospital, Nantou (HHC, SYY); Management Office for Health Data, China Medical University Hospital (CLL); College of Medicine (CLL); Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan (SYY); Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science and School of Medicine, College of Medicine (CHK); and Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan (CHK).
Hsin-Hung
HH
Chen
Chih-Jung
CJ
Yeh
Cheng-Li
CL
Lin
Su-Yin
SY
Yeh
Chia-Hung
CH
Kao
D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013624:Taiwan
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D007328:Insulin