01 Sep ESC 2026 Convention: Earlier Statin Use After Kind 2 Diabetes Prognosis Related With Decrease Dementia Threat
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Shoaib Afzal, MD, PhD, DMSc
Professor; Chief Doctor, Medical Biochemistry
Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Division of Medical Biochemistry, Herlev Hospital, Denmark
Division of Medical Medication, College of Well being and Medical Sciences, College of Copenhagen
Dr. Shoaib Afzal
MedicalResearch.com: What’s the background for this examine? What are the primary findings?
Dr. Afzal: With growing old populations, the burden of dementia is projected to rise however we nonetheless do not need efficient therapies. Nevertheless, there could also be a window of alternative for prevention earlier in life as a number of treatable danger elements are related to greater dangers of dementia. One among these danger elements is elevated LDL ldl cholesterol that may be lowered with statins. Based on the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, folks with sort 2 diabetes are at considerably elevated danger for heart problems and stroke, and statin remedy is a cornerstone of danger discount on this inhabitants.
Our examine confirmed that in sort 2 diabetes sufferers being on statins was related to 15% decrease danger of dementia and that these beginning earlier quite than later had even decrease danger.
MedicalResearch.com: Is there a perfect age to start statins or a advisable lipid stage marker?
Dr. Afzal: We investigated sort 2 diabetes sufferers which can be at excessive danger for heart problems and dementia normally, and per tips most could be eligible to be began on statins instantly after analysis. In different instances, cardiovascular danger must be evaluated based on danger elements comparable to age, intercourse, smoking, blood stress, earlier illness, and levels of cholesterol. Relying on these, therapy may be related from a younger age to an outdated age.
MedicalResearch.com: What ought to readers take away out of your report?
Dr. Afzal: Sadly, statins are underused in even those who ought to obtain them based on scientific tips. This observational examine provides to a big physique of proof displaying that statins have broad cardiovascular advantages additionally past the guts. Decrease dangers may be noticed in these utilizing statins in ailments presenting even in outdated age, comparable to dementia. Our examine lends assist to the notion that dementia might be prevented by optimizing danger elements.
MedicalResearch.com: What suggestions do you’ve for future analysis because of this examine?
Dr. Afzal: Our examine is an observational examine and can’t conclusively present causality, regardless that we tried to account for all kinds of biases. We’d like giant, randomized intervention trials with lipid-lowering remedy displaying results on dementia dangers earlier than widespread therapy for prevention of dementia may be advisable. However, most diabetes sufferers are as a bunch undertreated with statins, regardless that they’ve the next danger of heart problems and dementia. So, research optimizing therapy to guideline requirements in these sufferers would additionally present beneficial proof.
Disclosures: None disclosed.
Quotation:
Ternhamar T, Johansen M, Nordestgaard B et al. Association between timing of statin treatment after diabetes diagnosis and risk of dementia: a nationwide observational study. The Lancet Regional Well being – Europe. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2666-7762(26)00226-7
For a broader overview of how statin use is being studied within the context of dementia prevention and cognitive decline, see this MedicalResearch.com overview of statins and dementia risk — what the research shows.
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Final Up to date on September 1, 2026 by Marie Benz MD FAAD
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