More Good News About Statins

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Popular cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins are effective at reducing heart disease risks in people with diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to a recent study. Researchers conducted the first study of its kind looking specifically at the impact of statins on patients with diabetes and CDK.

In the study, researchers analyzed results from 20,000 people taking part in large studies of the statin pravastatin. About 3 percent of the group had both diabetes and CKD. Study authors mention diabetes and CKD both place people at significantly higher risk of developing heart attacks or other heart-related problems.

Results show people taking pravastatin were considerably less likely to suffer heart problems. The reduction in the cardiovascular event rate was about 25 percent for diabetics with CKD, which compares favorably with the 24 percent reduction seen in people without either condition.

Patients in all risk groups benefited from the drug.

The investigators believe these findings suggest statins could benefit people with diabetes and CKD, noting: "Because of the extremely high risk associated with the coexistence of these two conditions, more widespread use of statins in this population likely would result in a clinically important benefit." However, they caution more study is needed before statins should be prescribed for patients with severe kidney disease, particularly those on dialysis.

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SOURCE: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, published online Oct. 26, 2005