24 Aug Use of Statins in Very Elderly Rises Sharply
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Michael Johansen MD MS
Assistant Professor – Clinical
Dept of Family Medicine
The Ohio State University
Medical Research: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Johansen: -Over the last 15 years there has been increasing emphasis placed on the use of statins to decrease people’s risk of heart attacks and strokes. Individuals with known heart disease are recommended to be on statins. However, there is no convincing evidence that elderly individuals (>79 years of age) without heart disease benefit from statins.
Therefore, we investigated how use patterns of statins has changed over the last ~14 years. We identified a dramatic increase in statin use in the very elderly during the time of the study. As of 2012, around 1/3 of very elderly individuals without heart disease took a statin during that year.
Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Dr. Johansen: The application of clinical trials into clinical practice if tricky, but is critical to provide the best care for patients. This appears to be another instance where someone was accepted into clinical practice prior to trial evidence that shows that it works. Patients, families, and clinicians should take another look at the use of statins in the the very elderly. When given the risks and benefits of the drugs, some people will continue to take them, but many will decide against continuing them.
Medical Research: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Dr. Johansen: Determining whether the medications are continued from younger age or if people are started at an advanced age would be interesting. In addition, determining if the users of statins are generally sicker would also provide value.
Citation:
Michael E. Johansen, Lee A. Green. Statin Use in Very Elderly Individuals, 1999-2012. JAMA Intern Med., 2015 DOI:10.1001/jamainternmed.2015.4302
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Michael Johansen MD MS (2015). Use Statins in Very Elderly Rises Sharply
Last Updated on August 24, 2015 by Marie Benz MD FAAD