Duration and type of statin use and long-term risk of type 2 diabetes among men and women with hypercholesterolaemia: findings from three prospective cohorts
Main finding · Incident T2DResult — go to the resultPooled hazard ratio 1.40 95% CI 1.33–1.48Authors' conclusion
The positive association between statin use and type 2 diabetes was more pronounced with a longer duration of use, and the association varied across different types of statins. Adopting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can serve as a viable approach to diabetes prevention during statin treatment.
Study context
- Population
- Participants with hypercholesterolaemia free of diabetes, CVD and cancer at baseline, from Nurses' Health Study (NHS) (30,510), NHSII (21,547) and HPFS (9934)three cohorts
- Exposure
- Statin use vs non-use
- Outcome
- Incident T2D confirmed by validated supplementary questionnaire
- Follow-up
- Up to 23 years
Methodological detailsthree prospective cohorts (NHS, NHSII, HPFS), pooled analysis
- Three prospective cohorts (NHS, NHSII, HPFS)
- Pooled analysis
Main finding
Incident T2D · up to 23 years
Pooled hazard ratio
1.40
95% CI 1.33–1.48
Statin usersvs Non-users
pooled HR 1.40 (95% CI 1.33–1.48)
As reported in the abstract
- Incident T2D cases
- 6762
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | HR (95% CI) | |
|---|---|---|
| T2D by duration of statin use vs non-use1-5 yearsvs Non-users | 1.36 (1.27–1.44) | |
| T2D by duration of statin use vs non-use6-10 yearsvs Non-users | 1.41 (1.31–1.52) | |
| T2D by duration of statin use vs non-use11-15 yearsvs Non-users | 1.60 (1.44–1.78) | |
| T2D by duration of statin use vs non-use>15 yearsvs Non-users | 1.76 (1.50–2.06) | |
| T2D with 10 year use of specific statins vs non-use · 10 yearsRosuvastatinvs Non-users | 1.99 (1.45–2.73) | |
| T2D with 10 year use of specific statins vs non-use · 10 yearsLovastatinvs Non-users | 1.66 (1.12–2.47) | |
| T2D with 10 year use of specific statins vs non-use · 10 yearsAtorvastatinvs Non-users | 1.62 (1.39–1.89) | |
| T2D with 10 year use of specific statins vs non-use · 10 yearsPravastatinvs Non-users | 1.44 (1.06–1.97) | |
| T2D with 10 year use of specific statins vs non-use · 10 yearsSimvastatinvs Non-users | 1.37 (1.13–1.66) | |
| 0.20.5125Hazard ratio (log scale) |
T2D with 10 year use by statin potency
| HR (95% CI) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Low-potency statin34% higher risk | 1.34 (1.15–1.56) | |
| High-potency statin72% higher risk | 1.72 (1.46–2.04) | |
| 0.512Hazard ratio (log scale) |
- T2D by duration of statin use vs non-use — Significant linear trends, including non-users and within statin users only
- both ptrend<0.001
- T2D by duration of statin use vs non-use: linear trend including non-users and within statin users only
10 year cumulative T2D risk, statin users vs non-users, by lifestyle
- Least healthy lifestyles: statin users vs non-users (most pronounced difference)
- 4.5% vs 3.1%
- Healthiest lifestyles: statin users vs non-users (smallest risk differential)
- 1.0% vs 0.4%
Original publication
Duration and type of statin use and long-term risk of type 2 diabetes among men and women with hypercholesterolaemia: findings from three prospective cohorts. Diabetologia. Published 2 May 2025. doi:10.
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