Discussion
There were no significant changes in non-HDL-C or HbA1c in
either group. However, there were difference in the effects on
glucose levels and treatment decisions for DM. A meta-analysis
has shown that statin therapy is associated with an increased
risk of developing DM, but did not show any obvious differences
among the individual statins,9 which are classified as
hydrophilic or lipophilic. Takaguri et al reported that lipophilic
but not hydrophilic statins significantly affected glucose uptake
by adipocytes,14 and MUSASHI-AMI showed that cardiovascular
events tended to be fewer with hydrophilic statins.15
To complement the results from previous studies, our results
should be interpreted that the choice of statin be considered
not only on the basis of potency of cholesterol-lowering
effect but also glucose metabolism. In our study results, rosuvastatin
and atorvastatin showed different patterns of change in
HbA1c. The atorvastatin group tended to be changed to more
intensive DM therapy. At 6 months, HbA1c levels showed a
statistically significant difference between groups, and that
would have influenced physicians’ behavior to change the in-