Risk-benefit profile of statin therapy 'may be more positive than expected'

This study showed that providing an effective low-cost statin therapy to 10,000 patients for five years would prevent major cardiovascular events such as heart attacks, strokes and coronary artery bypasses in 1,000 people with preexisting vascular disease, as well as 500 people who are at increased risk but have not yet had a vascular event. By contrast, only 50 to 100 cases of symptomatic adverse events would be expected over the same period, as well as 50 to 100 new cases of diabetes, five cases of myopathy and between five and ten haemorrhagic strokes. Should statins be more widely used? Currently, about six million people are currently taking statins in the UK, but the report authors believe up to two million more should possibly be receiving treatment, as the average dose leads to a relatively low level of side effects. Review author Professor Rory Collins of the clinical trial service unit at the University of Oxford said:"Our review shows that the numbers of people who avoid heart attacks and strokes by taking statin therapy are very much larger than the numbers who have side effects with it. "In addition, whereas most of the side effects can be reversed with no residual effects by stopping the statin, the effects of a heart attack or stroke not being prevented are irreversible and can be devastating." The Arthritis Research UK view Dr Stephen Simpson, director of research and programmes at the charity Arthritis Research UK, said:"Inflammatory condi...
Source: Arthritis Research UK - Category: Rheumatology Source Type: news