Drugs taken to lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes may have fewer side-effects than claimed, researchers say.
Their review of 83,880 patients, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, indicated an increased risk of type-2 diabetes.
But it suggested reports of increases in nausea, muscle ache, insomnia and fatigue were actually inaccurate.
It is a controversial area as the NHS in England is considering offering the drugs to millions more people.
The cholesterol-lowering drugs are already offered to about seven million people in the UK who have a one-in-five chance of heart disease in the next decade.
The NHS is considering offering the drugs to even healthier people who have only a one-in-10 chance of heart problems.
A team at the National Heart and Lung Institute in London analysed data from 29 clinical trials.
They suggested statins did reduce deaths, but contributed to a high rate of type-2 diabetes. One in five new cases of diabetes in people on statins were a direct result of taking the drugs.
Their analysis suggested other side-effects appeared at a similar rate in people taking statins and those given dummy (placebo) pills.
One of the researchers, Dr Judith Finegold, said: “We clearly found that many patients in these trials – whose patients are usually well-motivated volunteers who didn’t know if they were getting a real or placebo tablet – that many did report side-effects while taking placebo.
“In the general population, where patients are being prescribed a statin for an asymptomatic condition, why would it be surprising that even higher rates of side-effects are reported?
“Most people in the general population, if you repeatedly ask them a detailed questionnaire, will not feel perfectly well in every way on every day.
“Why should they suddenly feel well when taking a tablet after being warned of possible adverse effects?”
Commenting on the study, Doireann Maddock, from the British Heart Foundation, said: “Previous research has demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of statins.
“While all medications have the potential for side-effects, this research may offer further reassurance to the many people in the UK who are prescribed statins.”
Drugs taken to lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes may have fewer side-effects than claimed, researchers say.
Their review of 83,880 patients, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, indicated an increased risk of type-2 diabetes.
But it suggested reports of increases in nausea, muscle ache, insomnia and fatigue were actually inaccurate.
It is a controversial area as the NHS in England is considering offering the drugs to millions more people.
The cholesterol-lowering drugs are already offered to about seven million people in the UK who have a one-in-five chance of heart disease in the next decade.
The NHS is considering offering the drugs to even healthier people who have only a one-in-10 chance of heart problems.
A team at the National Heart and Lung Institute in London analysed data from 29 clinical trials.
They suggested statins did reduce deaths, but contributed to a high rate of type-2 diabetes. One in five new cases of diabetes in people on statins were a direct result of taking the drugs.
Being obese, having high cholesterol, diabetes or high blood pressure all increase your cardiovascular risk
Their analysis suggested other side-effects appeared at a similar rate in people taking statins and those given dummy (placebo) pills.
One of the researchers, Dr Judith Finegold, said: “We clearly found that many patients in these trials – whose patients are usually well-motivated volunteers who didn’t know if they were getting a real or placebo tablet – that many did report side-effects while taking placebo.
“In the general population, where patients are being prescribed a statin for an asymptomatic condition, why would it be surprising that even higher rates of side-effects are reported?
“Most people in the general population, if you repeatedly ask them a detailed questionnaire, will not feel perfectly well in every way on every day.
“Why should they suddenly feel well when taking a tablet after being warned of possible adverse effects?”
Commenting on the study, Doireann Maddock, from the British Heart Foundation, said: “Previous research has demonstrated the safety and effectiveness of statins.
“While all medications have the potential for side-effects, this research may offer further reassurance to the many people in the UK who are prescribed statins.”
Source BBC News
