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Lipitor may cut risk of diabetes

People suffering from the most common form of diabetes could sharply cut their risk for heart attacks and strokes by taking a cholesterol-lowering drug even if they have normal cholesterol levels, according to a major new study.

The study of more than 2,800 patients with Type 2, or adult, diabetes found that those who took the cholesterol drug Lipitor were more than one-third less likely to have a heart attack, nearly half as likely to have a stroke and about one-third less likely to die from any form of cardiovascular disease.

"This is a landmark study with watertight data showing clear evidence of a benefit that warrants people to really look at their treatment of this group of patients," said the study's lead author, Helen Colhoun, a professor at the University College Dublin. The study was terminated two years early because the results were so striking.

Most other experts agreed, saying the findings provide the most convincing evidence yet that most diabetics should consider taking the drugs regardless of their cholesterol levels.

Although the study, being published in Saturday's issue of the journal Lancet, received some funding from Lipitor's maker, Pfizer Inc., it was supported primarily by the British government and the British equivalent of the American Diabetes Association and conducted independently of the company, Colhoun said.

About 17-million Americans suffer from Type 2 diabetes, which has been increasing rapidly in the United States because of the rising number of overweight people. Doctors have long known that diabetes sharply increases the risk for heart attacks and strokes, but patients generally do not take statins unless they have high cholesterol levels.

WASHINGTON - Teens who say at least half their friends are having sex are more likely to report having tried marijuana, alcohol and cigarettes, according to a survey released Thursday by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University.

The survey asked teens between 12 and 17 about their use of illegal substances. Researchers then looked at other teen activities to see if those who used drugs had anything else in common.

"This year's survey reveals a tight connection between teen sexual behavior and substance abuse," said Joseph A. Califano Jr., president of the Columbia center.

"Parents who become aware of certain dating and sexual behavior by their children should be alert to the increased likelihood of substance abuse," he said.

In the telephone survey of 1,000 teenagers, conducted between April 16 and May 16, teens also said that smoking, using illegal drugs and getting drunk are not cool. More than 80 percent said each of these activities make a teenager "seem like a loser." About 10 percent said the activities make him or her "seem cool."

In a separate effort to discourage underage drinking, the children's cable TV channel Nickelodeon and advocacy group The Century Council announced an initiative Thursday to reach out to kids and parents. "Ask, Listen and Learn" aims to educate kids about the issue and to help parents talk with their kids about underage drinking. It is to include booklets, Web sites and TV public service ads.

WASHINGTON - The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved a cancer drug made by pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Co. to treat advanced non-small cell lung cancer in patients who have undergone chemotherapy.

The drug, Alimta, was found in clinical trials to shrink tumors as effectively as another cancer-fighting drug, Taxotere. But Alimta did so with fewer troubling side effects. The Alimta treatment will cost patients $3,900 per month.