Effect of Statin Therapy on Glycated Hemoglobin Levels in Nondiabetic Individuals Attending Cardiology Outpatient Department

Background: Statins are widely recognized for their efficacy in reducing lipid levels and cardiovascular disease risk.However, prolonged statin therapy has been associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).This study evaluates the relationship between statin use and glycemic changes, focusing on fasting blood sugar (FBS), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total bilirubin, therapy duration, and gender.Materials and methods: A sample of 100 individuals on statin therapy was analyzed after obtaining institutional ethical committee approval and patient consent.Participants were grouped based on HbA1c levels as nondiabetic (<5.7%), prediabetic (5.7-6.4%), and diabetic (>6.4%).The duration of therapy was categorized into 3 to <6 months, 6-12 months, and >12 months.Statistical analysis, including the Chi-square test, assessed the association between statin use and glycemic status.Results: Among the participants, 61% were diabetic, 23% prediabetic, and 16% nondiabetic.As a primary analysis, prolonged statin use (>12 months) correlated with elevated FBS and HbA1c levels, indicating a dose-dependent relationship.Secondary analysis of this study included the following findings: Statin use reduced total bilirubin levels, potentially increasing oxidative stress and had a strong significance, with a p-value of 0.000136.Duration of statin therapy had no significance or a significance on the edge with a p-value of 0.056846.Gender analysis revealed no significant differences in glycemic outcomes with a p-value > 0.05, suggesting that statins affect glucose metabolism similarly in males and females.Conclusions: Prolonged statin therapy is associated with impaired glycemic control, particularly in individuals at high risk for metabolic disorders.Regular monitoring of glycemic parameters in statin users is recommended to balance cardiovascular benefits with potential T2DM risks.Further research is needed to explore mechanisms and strategies to mitigate these effects.