Everyone over the age of 50 should be given statins because the “cholesterol-busting” drugs reduce the risk of a heart attack even in healthy people, according to the Daily Telegraph and many other papers today.
The story is based on a systematic review of 27 studies looking at the effect of lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL, the “bad” cholesterol) using statin therapy in 175,000 individuals. It found that for every 1.0 mmol/L reduction in cholesterol, taking statins reduced the risk of heart attacks, strokes and other “major vascular events” by about a fifth (21%), even among those without existing vascular disease or at low risk of developing it.
Current guidelines recommend prescribing statins for people who have at least a 20% chance of developing cardiovascular disease within 10 years. Doctors normally calculate this risk by looking at a range of factors including the patient’s age, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, whether they smoke and whether they have diabetes.
This large review of studies suggests the cholesterol-lowering drugs are suitable for those without existing heart or vascular disease and those who are not considered at high risk of developing it. The 21% reduction in risk of heart disease and stroke sounds impressive.
However, it’s worth noting that the number of people who stand to benefit from statins gets smaller as the risk threshold for treatment is reduced. For example, one thousand people at low risk would need to be treated (have a 1 mmol/L reduction in bad cholesterol) for five years in order for 11 of them to benefit. This suggests that someone at low risk may wish to consider whether the possible benefit of taking statins would outweigh the inconvenience.
An accompanying editorial argues that the current guidelines should be revised to use age as an indicator for statins (over 50 years old), rather than expensive screening tests. The commentary forms part of a running debate as to whether middle-aged people without any known risk of cardiovascular disease should be “medicated”, and if so, how much (whether with statins, aspirin or a “polypill”, as previously suggested).
The study was published in the peer-reviewed medical journal, The Lancet.
The study – in particular the commentary arguing for all over 50s to take statins - was covered widely and accurately in most of the media.
The authors pointed out that their previous analysis of studies suggested that statin therapy to reduce LDL cholesterol in people without a history of vascular disease ultimately reduced their risk of heart attacks and strokes by about a fifth. However, uncertainty remains as to whether statins have an overall “net benefit” in this group, given that they are at low risk to begin with. The authors said that at least half of all heart attacks and strokes (vascular events) occur among individuals without previous disease.
The authors said they have now taken individual patient data from each trial within the database, allowing a more complete assessment of the effects of lowering LDL cholesterol in low-risk individuals.
They grouped the participants into five categories depending on their risk of a vascular event within five years and compared those taking a statin with control groups or with group taking a lower-dose statin. The risk categories were:
They also pointed out that, under present guidelines, such individuals would typically not be regarded as suitable for statin therapy.
They concluded: "The present report shows that statins are indeed both effective and safe for people with a five-year risk of major vascular events lower than 10% who would typically not be judged suitable for statin treatment … and, therefore, suggests that treatment guidelines might need to be reconsidered."
Although the study looked at whether statins increased the risk of cancer and death from other causes, it did not include possible adverse effects. Statins are safe drugs that have been associated with a small risk of side effects. As the authors stated, the risk of side effects when giving statins to everyone over the age of 50 would have to be taken into account when calculating the overall benefit.
The current guidelines on statin therapy from the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) are reportedly to be updated soon, at which point NICE will take this and any other new evidence into account.
There is good existing evidence that a healthy lifestyle (including regular exercise, stopping smoking and a healthy diet) are also important factors in cardiovascular health. This study helps to answer previous uncertainty about which apparently healthy individuals could benefit from taking statins.
NHS 'should consider giving statins to healthy people'. BBC News, May 17 2012
Statins could benefit health of millions. The Guardian, May 17 2012
All over 50s should be taking statins. The Daily Telegraph, May 17 2012
Statins 'could benefit the healthy'. The Independent, May 17 2012
Why EVERYONE over 50 needs to be taking statins: Cholesterol-busting pills cut risk of heart attack or stroke. Daily Mail, May 17 2012
The story is based on a systematic review of 27 studies looking at the effect of lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL, the “bad” cholesterol) using statin therapy in 175,000 individuals. It found that for every 1.0 mmol/L reduction in cholesterol, taking statins reduced the risk of heart attacks, strokes and other “major vascular events” by about a fifth (21%), even among those without existing vascular disease or at low risk of developing it.
Current guidelines recommend prescribing statins for people who have at least a 20% chance of developing cardiovascular disease within 10 years. Doctors normally calculate this risk by looking at a range of factors including the patient’s age, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, whether they smoke and whether they have diabetes.
This large review of studies suggests the cholesterol-lowering drugs are suitable for those without existing heart or vascular disease and those who are not considered at high risk of developing it. The 21% reduction in risk of heart disease and stroke sounds impressive.
However, it’s worth noting that the number of people who stand to benefit from statins gets smaller as the risk threshold for treatment is reduced. For example, one thousand people at low risk would need to be treated (have a 1 mmol/L reduction in bad cholesterol) for five years in order for 11 of them to benefit. This suggests that someone at low risk may wish to consider whether the possible benefit of taking statins would outweigh the inconvenience.
An accompanying editorial argues that the current guidelines should be revised to use age as an indicator for statins (over 50 years old), rather than expensive screening tests. The commentary forms part of a running debate as to whether middle-aged people without any known risk of cardiovascular disease should be “medicated”, and if so, how much (whether with statins, aspirin or a “polypill”, as previously suggested).
Where did the story come from?
The study was carried out by researchers from Oxford University and the University of Sydney. It was funded by several institutions including the British Heart Foundation, the UK Medical Research Council and Cancer Research UK.The study was published in the peer-reviewed medical journal, The Lancet.
The study – in particular the commentary arguing for all over 50s to take statins - was covered widely and accurately in most of the media.
What kind of research was this?
This was a meta-analysis of individual patient data from 27 trials looking at the effects of lowering LDL cholesterol with statin therapy, including trials of those without vascular disease or at low risk of cardiovascular disease.The authors pointed out that their previous analysis of studies suggested that statin therapy to reduce LDL cholesterol in people without a history of vascular disease ultimately reduced their risk of heart attacks and strokes by about a fifth. However, uncertainty remains as to whether statins have an overall “net benefit” in this group, given that they are at low risk to begin with. The authors said that at least half of all heart attacks and strokes (vascular events) occur among individuals without previous disease.
The authors said they have now taken individual patient data from each trial within the database, allowing a more complete assessment of the effects of lowering LDL cholesterol in low-risk individuals.
What did the research involve?
The researchers conducted a meta-analysis of data from 175,000 participants in 27 randomised trials, to explore the effects of lowering LDL cholesterol with statin therapy. Trials were included if:- They included at least one treatment where the main effect was to lower LDL cholesterol.
- There were no other differences in treating risk factors.
- At least 1,000 participants were recruited for a duration of at least two years’ treatment.
They grouped the participants into five categories depending on their risk of a vascular event within five years and compared those taking a statin with control groups or with group taking a lower-dose statin. The risk categories were:
- less than 5%
- 5% to less than 10%
- 10% to less than 20%
- 20% to less than 30%
- 30% or more
What were the basic results?
The researchers found that:- Reducing LDL cholesterol with a statin reduced the risk of major vascular events (relative risk 0.79, 95% confidence interval 0.77 to 0.81 per 1.0 mmol/L reduction), largely irrespective of age, sex, baseline LDL cholesterol or previous vascular disease, and of vascular mortality and all-cause mortality.
- The reduction in major vascular events was at least as big in people in the two lowest risk categories as those in the higher risk categories.
- For stroke, the reduction in risk in participants with a 5-year risk of major vascular events lower than 10% (relative risk per 1.0 mmol/L LDL cholesterol reduction 0.76, 99% confidence interval 0.61 to 0.95) was also similar to that seen in higher-risk categories.
- In participants without a history of vascular disease, statins reduced the risks of deaths from vascular disease and any other cause (relative risk 0.91, 95% confidence interval 0.85 to 0.97).
How did the researchers interpret the results?
The researchers calculated that in individuals with a five-year risk of major vascular events lower than 10%, each 1 mmol/L reduction in LDL cholesterol produced an absolute reduction in major vascular events of about 11 per 1,000 over five years. They said this benefit “greatly exceeds any known hazards of statin therapy”.They also pointed out that, under present guidelines, such individuals would typically not be regarded as suitable for statin therapy.
They concluded: "The present report shows that statins are indeed both effective and safe for people with a five-year risk of major vascular events lower than 10% who would typically not be judged suitable for statin treatment … and, therefore, suggests that treatment guidelines might need to be reconsidered."
Conclusion
Current guidelines recommend statins for people who have a 20% or greater chance of developing cardiovascular disease within 10 years. This large review of studies, which is a further assessment of previous research, suggests they may also benefit those without existing cardiovascular disease and those who are not considered at high risk of developing it. However, the individual benefit for those at low risk may be small.Although the study looked at whether statins increased the risk of cancer and death from other causes, it did not include possible adverse effects. Statins are safe drugs that have been associated with a small risk of side effects. As the authors stated, the risk of side effects when giving statins to everyone over the age of 50 would have to be taken into account when calculating the overall benefit.
The current guidelines on statin therapy from the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) are reportedly to be updated soon, at which point NICE will take this and any other new evidence into account.
There is good existing evidence that a healthy lifestyle (including regular exercise, stopping smoking and a healthy diet) are also important factors in cardiovascular health. This study helps to answer previous uncertainty about which apparently healthy individuals could benefit from taking statins.
Links To The Headlines
Give statins to everyone over 50. Daily Express, May 17 2012NHS 'should consider giving statins to healthy people'. BBC News, May 17 2012
Statins could benefit health of millions. The Guardian, May 17 2012
All over 50s should be taking statins. The Daily Telegraph, May 17 2012
Statins 'could benefit the healthy'. The Independent, May 17 2012
Why EVERYONE over 50 needs to be taking statins: Cholesterol-busting pills cut risk of heart attack or stroke. Daily Mail, May 17 2012
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