Statins such as atorvastatin, rosuvastatin or simvastatin have been the mainstay in cholesterol control for decades. The evidence that they prevent second heart attacks in middle-aged men is indisputable.
What has been much less clear, however, is whether such medications can protect older people. A new analysis published in JAMA points out that there is no good evidence to support statin use after age 80. The randomized clinical trials that would provide the evidence in this age group have not been carried out.
Despite the lack of evidence, there seems to be a growing trend to prescribe statins to older people. According to the authors of the JAMA report:
“Statin use for primary prevention is also increasing among people older than 80 years, as shown in recent population-based surveys. In a large US survey, the prevalence of use was 29% in persons aged 80 to 84 years, 24% in those aged 85 to 89 years, and 14% in those older than 90 years.”
We have been worried for years that some older people get prescriptions for statin medications that may cause them distressing side effects without strong evidence that they will benefit from cholesterol control. Unless a person has heart disease, we recommend questioning such a prescription, just to make sure that the rationale for taking the drug is solid.
Because kidney and liver function may be declining as we age, older adults might be more vulnerable to statin side effects (such as muscle pain, weakness, or cognitive difficulties) than younger people, and should be given statins only if they are clearly warranted.
9/13/18 redirected to: https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/articles/statins-fail-to-help-healthy-older-people/
