The unintended adverse effects of statins in men and women

This study was published in the British Medical Journal 2010 May 20;340:c2197

Study title and authors:
Unintended effects of statins in men and women in England and Wales: population based cohort study using the QResearch database.

Hippisley-Cox J, Coupland C.
Division of Primary Care, University Park, Nottingham NG2 7RD. julia.hippisley-cox@ntlworld.com

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20488911

The objective of the study was to quantify the unintended effects of statins. The study included 2,004 692 patients aged 30-84 years.

The study found after five years:
(a) Women who used statins had a 56% increased risk of acute renal (kidney) failure compared to women who did not use statins.
(b) Women who used statins had a 30% increased risk of cataracts compared to women who did not use statins.
(c) Women who used statins had a 53% increased risk of liver disease compared to women who did not use statins.
(d) Women who used statins had a 197% increased risk of myopathy (muscle disease) compared to women who did not use statins.
(e) Men who used statins had a 61% increased risk of acute renal (kidney) failure compared to men who did not use statins.
(f) Men who used statins had a 32% increased risk of cataracts compared to men who did not use statins.
(g) Men who used statins had a 53% increased risk of liver disease compared to men who did not use statins.
(h) Men who used statins had a 515% increased risk of myopathy (muscle disease) compared to men who did not use statins.

The study highlights some of the unintended adverse effects of using statins.
Statins increase the death rate by 150-300%
Statins increase the incidence of liver damage
Statin use increases muscle damage after exercise (including the heart muscle)