Two types of cholesterol-lowering drugs, statins and fibrates, may reduce the risk of peripheral neuropathy for people with diabetes, according to a study reported at the annual scientific meeting of the American Diabetes Association.

The nerve damage known as peripheral neuropathy afflicts many people who have diabetes. Symptoms include pain, tingling, weakness, or numbness in the feet and hands.

But Dr. Timothy Davis of the University of Western Australia says statins -- such as Lipitor, Mevacor, Crestor, Zocor and Pravachol -- and fibrates like Lopid and Tricor may help protect diabetics from this complication.

In a five-year study involving 400 people with type 2 diabetes who had no sign of peripheral neuropathy at the outset, 63% of the diabetics developed peripheral neuropathy.

But those who started lipid-lowering therapy with statins (mostly Zocor, Pravachol, and Lipitor) or fibrates (mostly Lopid or Gemcor) were less likely to suffer peripheral neuropathy.

"Lipid lowering does affect neuropathy," Davis concluded.