Moderate-intensity statins may reduce heart failure in type 2 diabetes

Moderate-intensity statin therapy reduced heart failure incidence in type 2 diabetes compared with low-intensity or no statin, according to recent study findings.

These results were independent of LDL levels and coronary artery disease events, according to the researchers.

Ichiro Kishimoto, MD, PhD, of the department of endocrinology and metabolism at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center in Japan, and colleagues evaluated 600 adults (mean age, 66.3 years; 68% men) with type 2 diabetes referred to the center between March 2000 and November 2007 to determine the relationship between statin intensity and heart failure incidence. Follow-up was a median of 6 years. At baseline, 53% of participants had CAD.

Participants were divided into groups based on baseline statin treatment: moderate-intensity (n = 138), low-intensity (n = 186) or no statin (n = 276).

During follow-up, 17.7% of participants were diagnosed with incident heart failure. There was a significantly lower risk for heart failure in the moderate-intensity group compared with the low-intensity group (HR = 0.31; 95% CI, 0.13-0.65).

The moderate-intensity stain group had a lower frequency of heart failure even if CAD was prevalent and the patient’s baseline LDL cholesterol was controlled to less than 100 mg/dL compared with low-intensity or no statin.

“The effect of the statin intensity was irrespective of LDL levels and apparent, especially in diabetes with prevalent CAD or with [B-type natriuretic peptide] < 100 pg/mL,” the researchers wrote. “Whether administration of higher intensity statins to these patients could lead to lower [heart failure] risks should be confirmed with further studies.” – by Amber Cox

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures. 

Source: www.healio.com