Total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were reduced in all trials but there was evidence of heterogeneity of effects .
There was no evidence of any serious harm caused by statin prescription .
Evidence available to date showed that primary prevention with statins is likely to be cost-effective and may improve patient quality of life .
Recent findings from the Cholesterol Treatment Trialists study using individual patient data meta- analysis indicate that these benefits are similar in people at lower ( < 1 % per year ) risk of a major cardiovascular event .
AUTHORS ' CONCLUSIONS Reductions in all-cause mortality , major vascular events and revascularisations were found with no excess of adverse events among people without evidence of CVD treated with statins
BACKGROUND Reducing high blood cholesterol , a risk factor for cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) events in people with and without a past history of CVD is an important goal of pharmacotherapy .
Statins are the first-choice agents .
Previous review s of the effects of statins have highlighted their benefits in people with CVD .
The case for primary prevention was uncertain when the last version of this review was published ( 2011 ) and in light of new data an up date of this review is required .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects , both harms and benefits , of statins in people with no history of CVD .
Impact of atorvastatin among older and younger patients in the Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial Lipid-Lowering Arm
Objective Older patients experience higher rates of cardiovascular disease than younger patients , but may be undertreated with statins due to doubts about efficacy and safety . The Lipid-Lowering Arm of the Anglo-Sc and inavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial allowed an evaluation of the efficacy and safety of atorvastatin among older ( ≥65 years ) and younger ( < 65 years ) patients with hypertension . Methods A total of 10 305 patients with hypertension , at least three other cardiovascular risk factors , total cholesterol concentrations of 251 mg/dl or less , and no known coronary heart disease ( CHD ) were r and omized to receive atorvastatin 10 mg or placebo . The primary endpoint was a composite of nonfatal myocardial infa rct ion and fatal CHD . Results There were 4445 patients in the older group ( mean 71 years ) and 5860 patients ( mean 57 years ) in the younger group . Among those taking placebo , the older group experienced a higher rate of primary endpoints than the younger group ( 11.7 vs. 7.6 events per 1000 patient years , respectively ) . After a median follow-up of 3.3 years , the primary endpoint was reduced by a similar proportion in both older and younger patients ( 37 vs. 33 % , respectively ) . Although older patients reported more serious adverse events than younger patients , there were no significant differences between atorvastatin and placebo within each age group . Conclusion Atorvastatin reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events to a similar relative extent in both older and younger patients with treated hypertension . However , given that event rates were higher in older patients , the absolute benefits of atorvastatin were greater for older than younger patients
Total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were reduced in all trials but there was evidence of heterogeneity of effects .
There was no evidence of any serious harm caused by statin prescription .
Evidence available to date showed that primary prevention with statins is likely to be cost-effective and may improve patient quality of life .
Recent findings from the Cholesterol Treatment Trialists study using individual patient data meta- analysis indicate that these benefits are similar in people at lower ( < 1 % per year ) risk of a major cardiovascular event .
AUTHORS ' CONCLUSIONS Reductions in all-cause mortality , major vascular events and revascularisations were found with no excess of adverse events among people without evidence of CVD treated with statins
BACKGROUND Reducing high blood cholesterol , a risk factor for cardiovascular disease ( CVD ) events in people with and without a past history of CVD is an important goal of pharmacotherapy .
Statins are the first-choice agents .
Previous review s of the effects of statins have highlighted their benefits in people with CVD .
The case for primary prevention was uncertain when the last version of this review was published ( 2011 ) and in light of new data an up date of this review is required .
OBJECTIVES To assess the effects , both harms and benefits , of statins in people with no history of CVD .