Association Between Long-term Statin Therapy and New-onset Diabetes in Cardiovascular Risk Patients in the UAE

Objectives: In the UAE, the relationship between long-term statin use and new-onset diabetes mellitus (NODM) has never been studied. Therefore, this study investigates the incidence and risk of NODM among long-term statin-using UAE nationals with cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: We analyzed retrospective data of patients who were initiated on statin therapy from April to December 2008 and followed up till January 2020. Propensity score matching was applied to match statin users to an equal number of nonusers. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis estimated the risk of NODM in statin users compared to nonusers. Results: Patients (N = 631) with one or more vascular risk factors were followed for a median of 10.1 years (IQR = 7.9– 10.9 years). Age-and sex-adjusted incidence of NODM was higher among statin users than among nonusers (21.2 vs. 8.3 events per 1000 person-years). Statin users were also more than three times as likely to develop NODM over 10 years. We estimated that one in 19.2 patients (95% CI: 10.9–90.9) treated with statins for 10 years may develop NODM. Conclusions: Long-term statin use in Emirati patients is associated with an increased NODM risk. Though this risk is small relative to the anti-cardiovascular disease benefits of statins, clinicians should regularly monitor users of statin therapy for early indications of diabetes.