Statins Reduces Stroke Risk in Type-1 or 2 Diabetes Patients over 40, says Dr John Betteridge from University College London

Diabetes patients (Type-1 or 2) over the age of 40 should take Statins to reduce the risk of stroke or coronary events, said Dr John Betteridge (University College London, UK) at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) 2010 Meeting. According to Betteridge, Statins is safe if appropriately used and drug interactions are avoided.

Dr John Betteridge revealed that trials such as CARDS have proven the benefit of Statins in Type 2 Diabetes. He noted that 10mg of atorvastatin (Lipitor, Pfizer) reduced LDL cholesterol by 40% and was associated with a 37% reduction in cardiovascular events and a "dramatic" halving of the stroke rate over 4 years.

Citing the results from the Cholesterol Treatment Trialists' Collaboration, Betteridge said that women and Type 1 Diabetes also benefited equally from Statins. However, he warned that there is a little evidence to guide Statin therapy in people under 40 with Type 1 Diabetes.

About the non-affectivity of Statins, Betteridge said, "Statins only work if people take them." He adds that he has seen many patients in whom Statins have been stopped inappropriately, either by the patient or by their doctors.