Statins, according to a 2010 meta-analysis in Lancet, are associated with a slightly increased risk for new-onset type 2 diabetes. One, atorvastatin (marketed as Lipitor), was underrepresented in that analysis. Researchers, along with the manufacturer, decided to have a look at data from three trials to see whether atorvastatin also conferred that risk. And, indeed they found that the risk was there — most especially in the SPARCL trial, which compared high-dose atorvastatin with placebo.

Our interview is with the first author of that later analysis, Dr. David D. Waters, of UCSF. His paper appeared earlier this week in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Interview-related links: