For decades, statins, drugs essential for lowering blood cholesterol, have been viewed with distrust due to doubts about their possible contraindications for the body, leading many people to avoid taking it altogether.
After being accused of causing dozens of unwanted effectsincluding memory loss, weight gain, depression and erectile dysfunction, researchers atUniversity of Oxford they have proven that they are associated only at 4 its 66 suggested side effects, plus two others already known.
The study and the results
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Published on The Lancettheir review included data from 23 studies on a large scale that involved over 150 mila patients. It turned out that the number of side effect reports were similar in almost all of the conditions listed, regardless of whether people were taking statins or not. In light of these results, the experts called for an end to the «continuation confusion and concern about side effects.”
The list of side effects
The researchers later compiled a list of the only six side effects proven linked to these drugs.
1. Muscle pain
Based on previous research conducted by the same team asOxford Population Healththey proved that statins could increase marginally the risk of pains o muscle weakness.
However, the team emphasizes that they were not the cause of muscle pain in over the 90% of patients who have experienced the symptom, underlining that this discomfort is common in adults, regardless of whether they are taking medications.
Cases due to statins occurred mainly during the first year of treatment, and in any case a very low incidence was recorded, with only 11 episodes of muscle pain out of 1000 individuals undergoing therapy. Furthermore, this slight risk must be compared with the benefits that statins guarantee in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks and strokes.
2. Diabetes
Statins slightly increase the risk of a new diagnosis diabetes type 2 because they interfere with some mechanisms of glucose metabolism. However, most of these cases involve people who were already predisposed to the disease.
3. Abnormal liver enzymes
Statins work blocking an enzyme in the liver which produces the cholesterol. In a small percentage of cases, treatment was found to cause an increase UNUSUAL of the levels of transaminasesliver enzymes that help the liver metabolize proteins proteins.
The Oxford study found that the excess risk was linked to the intensity of statin therapy, and particularly affected patients on the highest dose (80 mg per day). However, researchers found no increased risk of serious liver problems, such as jaundice or liver failure.
4. Abnormal liver function tests
The analysis also found a small increase in the risk of spikes in tests liver functionincluding other enzymes such as alkaline phosphatasewhich is used to understand if the bone and the liver are in good condition salute. However, this relationship is also dose-dependent, which means that the higher the dose, the more likely it is that the liver will react. For this specific point, the researchers of the study underlined that new scientific evidence is needed to discover with certainty any liver risks.
5. Changes in urinary composition
The analysis of urine found that statins may cause a slightly increased risk of changes in urinary composition. This essentially means that there has been a marginal increase in levels of proteins present in the urine of some patients.
Such elevations can sometimes indicate damage renal; however, the study showed no evidence in this regard. The alterations could instead be due to a temporary change in the way i kidneys they process small proteins, following reception from statins.
6. Edema
Statins have been linked to a slightly greater risk of edemaan accumulation of liquids in the body which usually causes swelling a ankles, feet and legs. This clinical condition can also be caused by excessive maintenance of the same position (standing or sitting), by eating too much salty food, by being overweight or by pregnancy.
The purpose of the study
The study found no evidence that statins cause dozens of other side effects as currently listed in the package inserts of these drugs. They then called for action to ensure that patients and medici are aware of the results and can make more therapeutic decisions aware.
The professor Bryan Williamsscientific and medical director of British Heart Foundationdeclared: «No one disputes the fact that patients demonstrate adverse effects throughout their lives; however, a fundamental question to ask is whether these are related to the drug they are taking. The answer is, largely, ‘No‘».
«Many of the problems that affect patients have nothing to do with statin treatment. This is a very strong message for both the public and patients, and hopefully induce the millions of people who should take statins a reconsider their thoughts on them.”
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