International Research Team Evaluates Non-Cardiovascular Benefits of Statins
Overview of Statins
Statins are a class of medications that have been in use since the late 1980s, primarily for their effectiveness in reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL), commonly referred to as “bad” cholesterol. This reduction plays a critical role in lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks, strokes, and atherosclerosis. The benefits of statins in managing cardiovascular health are well-documented, backed by robust research findings and expert consensus. In the United States, approximately 38.6 million individuals, or around 12% of the population, were utilizing statins during the years 2011-2012, with global prescriptions continuing to rise.
Emerging Interest Beyond Cardiovascular Health
Given the extensive use of statins, there has been growing interest in exploring their potential advantages for conditions unrelated to heart disease. Some studies have indicated that statins might offer therapeutic benefits in areas such as cancer, dementia, and kidney disease. To thoroughly evaluate the existing evidence on these non-cardiovascular benefits, an international team of experts conducted a comprehensive review, recently published in the *Annals of Internal Medicine*.
Methodology of the Review
The research team conducted an extensive search of medical literature, identifying 256 studies that investigated a total of 278 non-cardiovascular benefits of statins. Each study was evaluated for credibility based on several factors, including the amount of evidence presented, statistical significance of the results, and the size of the study. The studies were subsequently grouped into four categories of credibility: convincing, highly suggestive, suggestive, and weak.
Findings of the Review
Despite the comprehensive nature of the review, the researchers found limited convincing evidence supporting the non-cardiovascular benefits of statins across the 278 outcomes assessed. Among observational studies, only two demonstrated “highly suggestive” associations: one indicated decreased cancer mortality in patients who had taken statins prior to a cancer diagnosis, and another suggested reduced exacerbations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
In the realm of randomized controlled trials, only one study achieved a high credibility rating, revealing a lower all-cause mortality rate in patients with chronic kidney disease who were prescribed statins. Other potential benefits noted included reductions in the risks of cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, kidney injury, and infections; however, the evidence supporting these claims remains inconclusive.
Conclusions and Recommendations
The researchers concluded that, as it stands, evidence for the non-cardiovascular benefits of statins is minimal. Consequently, they advise that current prescribing guidelines for statins should remain unchanged.
Written by Julie McShane, Medical Writer
Reference: He Y, Li X, Gasevic D, et al. Statins and multiple noncardiovascular outcomes. Ann Intern Med 2018;169:543-553. Doi:10.7326/M18-0808.