Study finds lipid-lowering agents may reduce diabetic retinopathy progression
The use of lipid-lowering agents, particularly statins and PCSK9 inhibitors, is associated with a reduced risk of diabetic retinopathy progression in patients with type 2 diabetes, suggesting these treatments may be beneficial in managing this complication, according to a study.
In this retrospective review, the medical records from adults with type 2 diabetes and DR were analyzed to compare outcomes between patients receiving statins, fibrates, PCSK9 inhibitors, and a control group that did not receive any lipid-lowering agents treatment.
The results showed that patients on statins had a significantly reduced rate of progression to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (HR = 0.30) compared to those in the control group. In addition, those receiving PCSK9 inhibitors showed a lower risk of developing secondary complications of diabetic retinopathy compared to patients in the control (RR = 0.52), statin (RR = 0.69), and fibrate (RR = 0.67) groups.
Reference
Jeong H, Shaia JK, Talcott KE, et al. Investigating the Relationship Between Lipid-Lowering Agents and the Complications of Diabetic Retinopathy. Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2024;doi: 10.3928/23258160-20240729-03. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39231114.
