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New-Onset Diabetes After Statin Exposure in Elderly Women: The Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health

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Abstract

Introduction

Extensive clinical research has consistently shown statins lower the risk of cardiovascular events and mortality. Some studies also suggest statins increase the risk of new-onset diabetes. Research to date has rarely included elderly women, hence little is known about the risk of diabetes after statin exposure in this population.

Objectives

Our objectives were to evaluate and estimate the risk of new-onset diabetes associated with statin exposure in a cohort of elderly Australian women.

Methods

We performed an analysis of a population-based longitudinal cohort study with data linkage to the national death index and to national databases of non-hospital episodes of medical care and prescription medications dispensing. Participants included 8372 Australian women born between 1921 and 1926, alive at 1 January 2003, free of diabetes, and eligible for data linkage. Statin exposure was ascertained based on prescriptions dispensed between 1 July 2002 and 31 August 2013.

Results

Over 10 years of follow up, 49% of the cohort had filled a prescription for statins and 5% had initiated treatment for new-onset diabetes. Multivariable Cox regression showed statin exposure was associated with a higher risk of treatment for new-onset diabetes (hazard ratio 1.33; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04–1.70; p = 0.024). This equates to a number needed to harm (NNH) of 131 (95% CI 62–1079) for 5 years of exposure to statins. Risk increased with increasing dose of statin from the hazard ratio of 1.17 (95% CI 0.84–1.65) for the lowest dose to 1.51 (95% CI 1.14–1.99) for the highest dose.

Conclusion

The dose–response for statins on new onset of diabetes suggests elderly women should not be exposed to higher doses of statins. Elderly women currently taking statins should be carefully and regularly monitored for increased blood glucose to ensure early detection and appropriate management of this potential adverse effect, including consideration of de-prescribing.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Public Health Building, Herston Road, Herston, Brisbane, QLD, 4006, Australia

    Mark Jones, Geeske M. E. E. Peeters, Gita D. Mishra & Annette Dobson

  2. School of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

    Susan Tett

  3. School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Geeske M. E. E. Peeters

Authors
  1. Mark Jones
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  2. Susan Tett
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  3. Geeske M. E. E. Peeters
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  4. Gita D. Mishra
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  5. Annette Dobson
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mark Jones.

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Contributors

MJ drafted the protocol, conducted the analysis and drafted the manuscript. ST, GMEEP, GDM and AD contributed to the study design and interpretation of results and provided critical input to the writing of the protocol and manuscript.

Funding

The Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health is funded by the Australian Department of Health. MJ and GDM are funded by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (APP1000986). The funding bodies had no role in the collection, analysis or interpretation of data, the writing of the manuscript or the decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

Conflict of interest

All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form at http://www.icmje.org/coi_disclosure.pdf and declare no support from any organisation for the submitted work apart from that described above; no financial relationships with any organisations that might have an interest in the submitted work in the previous 3 years; and no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

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Jones, M., Tett, S., Peeters, G.M.E.E. et al. New-Onset Diabetes After Statin Exposure in Elderly Women: The Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health. Drugs Aging 34, 203–209 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40266-017-0435-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40266-017-0435-0

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