In a population-based target trial emulation using UK primary care electronic health record data, statin initiation for primary prevention in adults with type 2 diabetes was associated with lower risks of all-cause mortality and major cardiovascular disease across all baseline predicted cardiovascular risk categories, including those with a 10-year risk below 10%. Absolute risk reductions increased with higher baseline cardiovascular risk, while reductions in mortality and cardiovascular events among lower-risk patients were primarily observed in those with elevated low-density or non–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Statin initiation was not associated with an increased risk of liver dysfunction, and absolute rates of statin-associated myopathy were low across risk strata.

Source: Annals of Internal Medicine