A recent study from Curtin University in Australia found that statin use is linked to an increased risk of developing diabetes, a risk factor for skin and soft tissue infections.
The study is published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. The lead author is Humphrey Ko.
Statins have been reported to be beneficial for infections such as pneumonia and Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia.
In the case of infections, however, statin use is ironically associated with a higher risk of diabetes and skin infections.
In the study, the team examined prescription claims from 2001 to 2011 from the Australian Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
They found statin use for as little as 91 days was linked to higher risks of skin and soft tissue infections and diabetes.
The increased risk of infection was seen in patients who did and did not develop diabetes.
The team says the findings reinforce the need for doctors to be aware that statin use may be linked to diabetes, as well as a possible increased risk of skin infections.
In addition, doctors may need to monitor blood glucose levels of statin users.
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