Characterization of diabetes risk factors in patients prescribed chronic statin therapy

Objective: Determine the incidence of major diabetes risk factors over time in patients prescribed chronic statin therapy.

Methods: Retrospective observational chart review of adult patients without diabetes in primary care who initiated statin therapy between 2005 and 2010. Presence of diabetes risk factors were determined 1 year prior to statin initiation and continued up to a maximum of 7 years. Diabetes risk factors included impaired fasting glucose, body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m(2), hemoglobin A1c >6% and metabolic syndrome. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the incidence of diabetes risk factors over time.

Results: A total of 98 patients met study criteria; mean age was 57 ± 13 years, 43% were men and 71% self-identified as Caucasian/white. Mean baseline values were A1c of 5.97%, fasting glucose of 104 mg/dl and BMI of 28 kg/m(2). There were zero diabetes risk factors over time in 54% ± 7% of patients. The incidence over time of 1 risk factor was 25 ± 9%, 2 risk factors was 17 ± 5% and 3 risk factors was 3 ± 2%. A total of 12 patients were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes during the course of the study period.

Conclusion: The incidence of diabetes risk factors did not change over time in an ambulatory adult population prescribed chronic statin therapy. Larger population studies assessing the incidence of and change in diabetes risk factors in patients on chronic statin therapy may help assess the association between statin therapy and presence of such risk factors.