Statins – But what are the odds?

Lately, the study published by Archives of Internal Medicine has once again fueled the debate on the effectiveness of the plasma cholesterol lowering drugs, known as Statins in patients who are at risk of heart disease.

Previously, the results published in the New England Journal of Medicine, had concluded that Statin drugs lowered the risk of heart attack and stroke mortality by about 47% in healthy people who are carriers of high C – Reactive protein levels. The Food and Drug Administration had estimated the market of Statins to be millions. And what’s more, doctors even started to prescribe Crestor to healthy people, conveniently overlooking the potential side effects of the drug, which includes elevated risk of liver and kidney dysfunction, myopathy and cataracts.

But now, the critics of the controversial trial argue that the early termination of the trial was the preliminary reason for the results being inclined in favor of Crestor. The trial, which was initially planned for five years, stopped after two. An extended and more controlled trial would have revealed a significant difference between treatment and placebo groups, say the critics. Though the bad cholestrol (Low Density Lipoprotien) levels were significantly lower (94 mg/dL) among those taking Statins compared to those taking placebos (134 mg/dL), that had no effect on premature deaths. They also added that this shows the need for caution before offering the potential benefits to a broader population.

Pete Weissberg, of British Heart Foundation, claimed the findings were only short term. He also added that the heart and circulatory disease develop over decades, there will be a considerable improvement in mortality after a long term follow up.