Benefits of Statins Outweigh the Harm from Adverse Events

Takeaway

A meta-analysis found that statin use was associated with an increased risk of self-reported muscle symptoms, liver dysfunction, renal insufficiency and eye conditions.
However, the increased risk of adverse events (AEs) did not outweigh the reduction in cardiovascular disease events.

Why this matters

Findings indicate that the benefit-to-harm ratio favours the use of statin for primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases.

Study details

UK researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 62 randomised controlled trials (RCTs).
Primary outcome: AEs including muscle problems, liver dysfunction, eye conditions, diabetes and renal insufficiency.
Funding: British Heart Foundation.

Key results

Overall, included studies comprised 120,456 participants with a mean follow-up of 3.9 years.
Statin use was associated with an increased risk of:
- self-reported muscle symptoms (OR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01-1.13; I², 1%);
- liver dysfunction (OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.12-1.58; I², 0%);
- renal insufficiency (OR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.01-1.28; I², 0%); and
- eye conditions (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.04-1.47; I², 0%).
However, statin use was not associated with
- clinically confirmed muscle disorders (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.62-1.24; I², 0%); or
- diabetes (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.88-1.16; I², 50%).
Statins significantly reduced (P<.001 for all) the risk of
- myocardial infarction (OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.66-0.78; I², 33%);
- stroke (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.72-0.89; I², 20%); and
- death from cardiovascular disease (OR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.76-0.91; I², 27%).

Limitations

Some analyses may be underpowered.
Results may not be generalisable to the primary prevention population.

This clinical summary originally appeared on Univadis, part of the Medscape Professional Network.

Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.

Cite this: Pavankumar Kamat. Benefits of Statins Outweigh the Harm from Adverse Events - Medscape - Jul 20, 2021.

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