The Pleotropic Effect of Statin Therapy on Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) Level in Dyslipidemic Patients in University of Portharcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH)

Abstract

 Statins, are the most potent and most commonly prescribed hypolipidemic drugs worldwide, but are also reported to have pleiotropic effects, i.e. beneficial effects, other than their lipid lowering effects. This study aims to assess the pleotropic effects of statin therapy administered to dyslipidemic subjects in UPTH on their blood sugar level/control. This was a prospective cohort study carried out over a period of 9 months. 320 consecutive, consenting, dyslipidemic subjects were recruited into the study, all subjects had a baseline Fasting Lipid Profile (FLP) and Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS). Test subjects had just commenced statins, while an equal number of age and sex matched, control subjects were asked to make life style modifications (exercise and dietary) and were not exposed to statins. Both groups continued similar individualized anti-hypertensive and oral hypoglycaemic medications. They were all followed up for a period of 3 months, after which fasting lipid profile and fasting blood sugar were re-assessed. The results showed a significant (p<0.05), 1.1 point decrease in the level of fasting blood sugar (FBS) as absolute change in mean value for the test cases at 3months from baseline and a significant (p<0.05), 0.76 point decrease in the level of FBS as absolute mean value for the control group 3months from baseline. Comparison of the values of absolute change in mean, test case relative to control cases revealed no statistical significant difference (p >0.05).This neither indicated better control of FBS level nor did it suggest an added clinical relevance. The results showed that statins in addition to their hypolipidemic actions in dyslipidemic patients in UPTH, do not have a significant effect (p>0.05) after 3 months of therapy on FBS level/control.