Woman balancing heart and sugar cube, statins and diabetes risk

Statins and Women: Are You Aware of the Diabetes Risk?

Soraya Malik in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research highlights the importance of considering age and dosage when women use statins, offering insights for heart health and diabetes prevention."

Statins are widely prescribed medications known for their ability to lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. For many, they’re a cornerstone of heart health, helping to prevent heart attacks and strokes. However, like all medications, statins come with potential side effects, one of which is an increased risk of developing new-onset diabetes (NOD). This is particularly important for women, who may experience this risk differently than men.

Recent research has shed light on the nuanced relationship between statin use and diabetes risk in women, emphasizing the importance of age and dosage. A population-based case-control study conducted in an Asian country delved into this issue, revealing that the impact of statins on NOD can vary significantly among different age groups. This study underscores the need for a personalized approach to statin therapy, where the benefits are carefully weighed against the potential risks.

This article explores the findings of this study, providing a clear and accessible overview of the key takeaways. We'll examine how age and statin dosage can influence the risk of developing diabetes, and what women can do to make informed decisions about their heart health. By understanding these factors, women can work with their healthcare providers to optimize their statin therapy and minimize potential adverse effects.

The Link Between Statins and Diabetes: What the Research Shows?

Woman balancing heart and sugar cube, statins and diabetes risk

The study, published in PLOS One, involved a comprehensive analysis of 1,065 women who developed new-onset diabetes and 10,650 control participants. Researchers carefully matched the participants based on age, gender, and physician visit dates to ensure a fair comparison. The goal was to determine whether statin use was associated with an increased risk of diabetes and how this risk might vary across different age groups.

The results of the study confirmed that statin use was indeed associated with a statistically significant increase in the risk of new-onset diabetes. However, the researchers also discovered an interaction effect between age and statin exposure, meaning that the risk varied depending on the woman's age. This was a critical finding, highlighting the complexity of the relationship between statins and diabetes.

Atorvastatin: The highest risk of NOD was observed in women aged 55-64 years with a cumulative defined daily dose (cDDD) of greater than 60.
Rosuvastatin: Women aged 40-54 years had the highest risk of NOD with a cDDD over 60.
Simvastatin: Similar to atorvastatin, the 55-64 age group showed the highest risk with higher doses.
Pravastatin: Again, the 55-64 year-olds were most vulnerable with cDDDs exceeding 60.

These findings suggest that women aged 40-64 years may be more susceptible to the diabetes-inducing effects of statins compared to women aged 65 years and older. This could be due to a variety of factors, including hormonal changes, differences in metabolism, or other age-related physiological changes. Further research is needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms.

Making Informed Decisions About Statin Therapy

The study's findings emphasize the importance of individualized decision-making when it comes to statin therapy for women. Healthcare providers should carefully consider a woman's age, overall health status, and other risk factors before prescribing a statin. Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is also crucial, especially for women in the 40-64 age group. While statins can be life-saving medications, it's essential to be aware of the potential risks and work with your doctor to find the best approach for your individual needs.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1371/journal.pone.0071817, Alternate LINK

Title: Differential Impact Of Statin On New-Onset Diabetes In Different Age Groups: A Population-Based Case-Control Study In Women From An Asian Country

Subject: Multidisciplinary

Journal: PLoS ONE

Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)

Authors: Chih-Wei Chen, Ting-Chang Chen, Kuang-Yung Huang, Pesus Chou, Pin-Fan Chen, Ching-Chih Lee

Published: 2013-08-12

Everything You Need To Know

What are statins, and why are they prescribed?

Statins are medications commonly prescribed to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes. They are a cornerstone of heart health management for many individuals. However, it's important to be aware of potential side effects, one of which is an increased risk of developing new-onset diabetes (NOD).

How does age influence the risk of diabetes when taking statins?

Research indicates that the impact of statins on the risk of developing new-onset diabetes varies among different age groups in women. A study found that women aged 40-64 years may be more susceptible to the diabetes-inducing effects of statins compared to women aged 65 years and older. The risk also varied depending on the specific statin and its dosage.

Can you explain the findings about specific statins and the diabetes risk?

The study analyzed the risk of new-onset diabetes (NOD) associated with different statins and dosages in women: * **Atorvastatin:** The highest risk of NOD was observed in women aged 55-64 years with a cumulative defined daily dose (cDDD) of greater than 60. * **Rosuvastatin:** Women aged 40-54 years had the highest risk of NOD with a cDDD over 60. * **Simvastatin:** Similar to atorvastatin, the 55-64 age group showed the highest risk with higher doses. * **Pravastatin:** The 55-64 year-olds were most vulnerable with cDDDs exceeding 60.

What is the importance of dosage in the context of statins and diabetes risk?

Dosage, specifically the cumulative defined daily dose (cDDD) of statins, plays a critical role in the risk of developing diabetes. The study's findings highlight that higher doses of statins, particularly with a cDDD greater than 60, were associated with an increased risk of new-onset diabetes (NOD) in certain age groups. This underscores the need for healthcare providers to carefully consider the appropriate dosage for each individual woman, taking into account their age and other risk factors.

How should women approach statin therapy to manage both heart health and diabetes risk?

Women should approach statin therapy with individualized decision-making. Healthcare providers should consider a woman's age, overall health status, and other risk factors before prescribing a statin. Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is crucial, especially for women in the 40-64 age group. It's essential to be aware of the potential risks and work with your doctor to find the best approach for individual needs to balance heart health benefits and minimize the risk of new-onset diabetes (NOD). This may include adjusting the statin type or dosage or implementing lifestyle changes.