Use of the high-intensity statin regimen rosuvastatin (Crestor) was associated with a greater risk of diabetes and cataracts when compared with atorvastatin (Lipitor), according to a recent trial published in BMJ. 1
Both drugs showed similar clinical efficacy when directly compared in secondary prevention.
Whether they had been randomised to rosuvastatin or atorvastatin, people with existing coronary artery disease had no statistically significant difference in the incidence of three-year combined all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stroke, and coronary revascularisation.
But the rosuvastatin group had a higher incidence of new-onset diabetes requiring medication and cataract surgery.
Excess cataracts may be related to rosuvastatin’s more potent LDL cholesterol lowering – namely the prevention of epithelial cell development within the crystalline lens, the study authors said.
Reference
García-Sánchez, A., Asencio, M., García-Río, F., et al., CPAP effect on progression of retinal disease in patients with sleep apnea and non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy: a randomized clinical trial. Ann Am Thorac Soc. 2023 Oct 4. DOI: 10.1513/AnnalsATS.202304-296OC. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37793101.
