Statins Cut Dementia Risk 15% in Type 2 Diabetes Patients, With Bigger Gains From Early Use
Updated
Updated · ScienceAlert · Sep 6
Statins Cut Dementia Risk 15% in Type 2 Diabetes Patients, With Bigger Gains From Early Use
3 articles · Updated · ScienceAlert · Sep 6
Summary
A Danish registry study of 132,585 people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes found those who started statins within a year had a 15% lower 10-year relative risk of dementia than non-users.
Late starters—beginning statins one to five years after diagnosis—still showed a 10% lower relative risk, suggesting the benefit was strongest with earlier treatment.
Absolute 10-year dementia risk was 3.9% without statins, 3.5% with late treatment and 3.3% with early treatment, according to the observational study published in The Lancet Regional Health.
Researchers said the data show an association rather than proof of cause, but urged clinicians to consider timely statin therapy in type 2 diabetes patients, who already face elevated cardiovascular and dementia risks.