Use of statins in patients with diabetes may lead to progression of the disease, according to findings from a large observational study.

“Statin therapy has been associated with increased insulin resistance; however, its clinical implications for diabetes control among patients with diabetes is unknown,” the study team noted in JAMA Internal Medicine.

The US researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study using 12 years of medical record data (2003-2015) from the Veterans Affairs health system.

All included patients were aged over 30 (mean age 60, 95% male, 68% White) and had a diabetes diagnosis during the study period.