Assessment of atorvastatin effect on body weight and blood glucose levels among diabetic and non-diabetic patients

Abstract

Background and aims: Atorvastatin is a member of the drug class known as statins, which used as a lipid-lowering agent. The study aim was to assess the effect of atorvastatin on body weight and blood glucose levels among diabetic and non-diabetic patients. Material and Methods: A 359 hyperlipidemic Jordanian patients using atorvastatin at least for 1 year were divided into two groups: diabetic (DM) and nondiabetic (NDM). The changes in lipid profile, thyroid function test, blood glucose indices as well as body weight were assessed and compared between both groups. Results: There was no statistical significant (p > 0.05) difference between means of body weight after treatment among DM (85.74 ± 3.56) and NDM (81.75 ± 1.25) groups. Descriptive statistics and mean comparisons before and after atorvastatin treatment, showed statistical significant (p < 0.05) differences in body weight and total cholesterol among NDM group and in total cholesterol and LDL-Ch among DM group. There was an increase in fasting blood glucose (FBG) and glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and a decrease in triglycerides among both groups but the difference was not statistically (p > 0.05) significant. Conclusions: Atorvastatin may increase body weight, fasting blood glucose and HbA1c for diabetic and non-diabetic patients.