The study, which was conducted over eight years, showed that two classes of lipid-lowering drugs – statins and fibrates – significantly lower the risk of developing nerve damage known as peripheral sensory diabetic neuropathy.
The drugs are already highly recommended for people with type 2 diabetes to help prevent heart attacks. Statins reduce levels of LDL, or ‘bad’ cholesterol, while fibrates increase levels of HDL, or ‘good’ cholesterol.
The statin drug class includes Lipitor, which is the top-selling drug of all time, with nearly $13 billion in 2006 sales.
Peripheral neuropathy is the most common form of nerve damage caused by diabetes, affecting approximately 50% of diabetics. Damaged nerves can cause stinging or burning sensations, tingling, pain, numbness or weakness in the hands and feet. Currently, in the US, there are no drugs approved to prevent the condition, only drugs to alleviate the pain it causes.