Statins may not be of any significant benefit to elderly patients . The conclusion comes from Dr Petersen of the Danish Aging Research Centre and is based on a review of twelve different studies into statins involving a combined total of over 4,000 patients over eighty years old.
The analysis found that the results of the studies were showing that the low cholesterol levels in the over eighties group were showing an increased chance of mortality (death). One study in particular could not rule out the possibility that statins could actually be harmful for elderly patients.
Statins are commonly prescribed to people with diabetes of all ages to help bring cholesterol down. High cholesterol contributes to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease ( heart attacks ) and strokes, for which diabetics are up to four times as prone to.
However, the review by Dr Petersen questions whether lower cholesterol is a benefit, even if the patients in question have cardiovascular problems, above a certain age threshold.
Benefits of diabetes related drug, statins, in doubt for the elderly
Fri, 05 Nov 2010
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