Statins use may Increase Neuropathy risk Among T2DM patients, Metformin decreases it

In the present study, the researchers used the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment patient sample data from 2016 and 2017. They included patients with T2DM (n=34964)and no complications (n=35887) were divided into statin/metformin/statin + metformin users and non-users.They determined neuropathy by the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th revision codes and concomitant prescriptions for anticonvulsants or antidepressants. They used logistic regression analyses to examine the associations between statin/metformin/statin + metformin therapies and the incidence of neuropathy.

Key findings of the study:

• Upon analysis, the researchers found that statin therapy was associated with increased risks of neuropathy in 2016 and 2017 [PS-matched odds ratio (OR) = 1.22; PS-matched OR = 1.17].
• They also found that metformin therapy was associated with reduced risks of neuropathy in 2016 and 2017 (PS-matched OR = 0.30; PS-matched OR = 0.44).
• They found no significant association in combined statin + metformin therapy with neuropathy in 2016 or 2017 (PS-matched OR = 0.85; PS-matched OR = 0.95).

The authors concluded, "Statin therapy enhanced the risk of neuropathy in patients with T2DM, whereas metformin therapy reduced this risk. Combined statin + metformin therapy did not have a significant impact on the incidence of neuropathy. Therefore, when prescribing statin therapy for patients with T2DM, physicians should assess the potential for neuropathy development and consider the addition of metformin to reduce this risk."

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