Evaluation of glycemic status among hypercholesterolemic patients on atorvastatin in a tertiary care hospital – A retrospective study

INTRODUCTION: Statins are effective in reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and are favorable in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Recent large trials have linked the use of statins and increased incidence of new-onset diabetes mellitus, the possibility of worsening of glucose level in individuals with diabetes following statin therapy, and this possibility is increased with the use of atorvastatin. This study was undertaken to analyze the possibility of the diabetogenic potential of atorvastatin among hypercholesterolemic patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted in the cardiology department from July 2019 to December 2019. Patients on atorvastatin for more than 6 months with normoglycemia on commencement of therapy were included. The occurrence of prediabetes or new-onset diabetes mellitus after atorvastatin therapy is the outcome of the study. Adverse drug effects to atorvastatin were also recorded and WHO-UMC causality assessment was performed. Descriptive statistics were performed for baseline and demographic characteristics. RESULTS: Sixty study participants were included in the study. Eighteen (30%) study participants developed prediabetes with an HbA1c value of 5.97 ± 0.22 and 17 (28%) of participants developed new-onset diabetes mellitus with an HbA1c value of 7.24 ± 0.50. Atorvastatin at dose of 40 mg was found to be the most frequently prescribed dose. CONCLUSION: Atorvastatin has a dose-dependent risk of developing new-onset diabetes mellitus. Hence, the following statin therapy glycemic status should be periodically monitored especially in patients with a large dose of atorvastatin and also in patients with higher risk factors for diabetes.