Statins increase the risk of chronic muscle diseases by 286%

This study was published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 2008 May;67(5):614-9

 

Study title and authors:

Increased exposure to statins in patients developing chronic muscle diseases: a 2-year retrospective study.

Sailler L, Pereira C, Bagheri A, Uro-Coste E, Roussel B, Adoue D, Fournie B, Laroche M, Zabraniecki L, Cintas P, Arlet P, Lapeyre-Mestre M, Montastruc JL.

Unit of Pharmacoepidemiology, EA 3696, Clinical Pharmacology Department, Paul Sabatier University, 37 Allées Jules Guesdes, 31000 Toulouse, France. sailler.l@chu-toulouse.fr

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17768174

This study evaluated the association between chronic muscle diseases and prior exposure to cholesterol lowering drugs. The study, which lasted for two years, included 37 patients with chronic muscle diseases such as dermatomyositis and polymyositis who were compared to 185 control subjects.

The study found that those who were exposured to statins had a 286% increased risk of dermatomyositis and polymyositis.

Read more ►

High-fibre supplement (psyllium) linked to colon cancer risk

This study was published in the Lancet 2000 Oct 14;356(9238):1300-6

 

Study title and authors:

Calcium and fibre supplementation in prevention of colorectal adenoma recurrence: a randomised intervention trial. European Cancer Prevention Organisation Study Group.

Bonithon-Kopp C, Kronborg O, Giacosa A, Räth U, Faivre J.

Registre Bourguignon des Tumeurs Digestives, Faculté de Médecine de Dijon, France.

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11073017

Ispaghula husk is a soluble fibre that comes from a shrub-like herb, Plantago psyllium. Ispaghula husk is also known as psyllium, psyllium seed, psyllium husk, ispaghula or ispaghula seed.

Ispaghula husk is a central ingredient in many high-fibre cereals, and is often combined with wheat and oats. It is also contained in many processed foods such as "health drinks", bread, biscuits, rice cakes, instant noodles and other bakery products and is also sold as a supplement such as Metamucil, Colon Cleanse, Serutan, Fybogel, Bonvit, Effersyllium, and Konsyl. 

This study investigated the effect of ispaghula husk supplementation on recurrence of colorectal adenomas in patients with a history of colorectal adenomas. (An adenoma is a benign tumor of glandular origin. Although these growths are benign, over time they may progress to become malignant). The study included 665 patients who received either supplementation or placebo and were followed for three years.

The study found that patients who had the ispaghula husk had a 67% increased risk of recurrence of colorectal adenomas compared to patients who had placebo. 

Read more ►

Abdominal aortic aneurysms expand more with statin use

This study was published in the American Heart Journal 2010 Feb;159(2):307-13

 

Study title and authors:

Association of statin prescription with small abdominal aortic aneurysm progression.

Ferguson CD, Clancy P, Bourke B, Walker PJ, Dear A, Buckenham T, Norman P, Golledge J.

Vascular Biology Unit, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20152231

Abdominal aortic aneurysm  is recognized as an important cause of death in older men. An abdominal aortic aneurysm is when the large blood vessel (aorta) that supplies blood to the abdomen, pelvis, and legs becomes abnormally large or balloons outward. The larger the aneurysm, the more likely it is to rupture and break open.

The study assessed the association of statin treatment (and other medications) and with abdominal aortic aneurysms expansion.  The study, which lasted for six years, included 652 patients undergoing surveillance of small abdominal aortic aneurysms.

The study found:
(a) Those taking statins had a 23% increased risk of their abdominal aortic aneurysm expanding more than average compared to those not taking statins.
(b) Those taking beta-blockers had a 13% increased risk of their abdominal aortic aneurysm expanding more than average compared to those not taking beta-blockers.
(c) Those taking aspirin had a 10% increased risk of their abdominal aortic aneurysm expanding more than average compared to those not taking aspirin.

The data from the study shows that statin users have an increased risk of larger expansion of abdominal aortic aneurysms compared to non users.

Read more ►

Low cholesterol leads to an early death

This study was published in the ScientificWorld Journal 2012;2012:930139

 

Study title and authors:

Lipids and all-cause mortality among older adults: a 12-year follow-up study.

Cabrera MA, de Andrade SM, Dip RM.

Postgraduate Program in Public Health, State University of Londrina-UEL, Robert Koch Avenue, 60 CEP, 86038440 Londrina, PR, Brazil. marcoscabrera@uol.com.br

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22666169

This study investigated the association between cholesterol levels and death rates in elderly people. The study lasted for 12 years and included 800 people aged 60-85 years.

The study found:
(a) Those with cholesterol levels above 200 mg/dL (5.1 mmol/L) had a 24% decreased risk of death compared to those with cholesterol levels below 200 mg/dL (5.1 mmol/L).
(b) Those with low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels above 130 mg/dL (3.3 mmol/L) had a 27% decreased risk of death compared to those with low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 130 mg/dL (3.3 mmol/L).
(c) Those with cholesterol levels below 170 mg/dL (4.4 mmol/L) had a 60% increased risk of death compared to those with cholesterol levels above 170 mg/dL (4.4 mmol/L).
(d) Those with high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels below 40 mg/dL (1.0 mmol/L) had a 20% increased risk of death compared to those with high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels above 40 mg/dL (1.0 mmol/L).

The data from the study shows that low cholesterol leads to an early death.

Read more ►

Statins may induce interstitial lung disease

This paper was published in Chest 2008 Oct;134(4):824-30

Study title and authors:
Statins and interstitial lung disease: a systematic review of the literature and of food and drug administration adverse event reports.

Fernández AB, Karas RH, Alsheikh-Ali AA, Thompson PD.
Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18689579

This study reviewed the scientific literature to examine the relationship between statins and interstitial lung disease. (Interstitial lung disease is the name for a large group of diseases that inflame or scar the lungs. The inflammation and scarring make it hard to get enough oxygen. The scarring is called pulmonary fibrosis).

After reviewing evidence from the previous 20 years the researchers concluded: "Statin-induced interstitial lung disease is a possible newly recognized side effect of statin therapy".

Read more ►

Walking is associated with lower total death rates and lower death rates from cardiovascular disease in adults with diabetes

This study was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine 2003 Jun 23;163(12):1440-7

Study title and authors:
Relationship of walking to mortality among US adults with diabetes.

Gregg EW, Gerzoff RB, Caspersen CJ, Williamson DF, Narayan KM.
Division of Diabetes Translation, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. edg7@cdc.gov

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12824093

The objective of the study was to estimate the association between walking and the risk of death from all-causes and death from cardiovascular disease among persons with diabetes. The study included 2,896 adults 18 years and older with diabetes who were followed for eight years.

The study found:
(a) Compared with inactive individuals, those who walked at least 2 hours per week had a 39% decreased risk of death from any cause.
(b) Compared with inactive individuals, those who walked at least 2 hours per week had a 34% decreased risk of death from cardiovascular disease.

Walking is associated with lower total death rates and lower death rates from cardiovascular disease in adults with diabetes.

Read more ►

Use of statins is associated with increased insulin resistance in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting

This study was published in Diabetes Care 2012 Oct;35(10):2095-9

Study title and authors:
Statin intake is associated with decreased insulin sensitivity during cardiac surgery.

Sato H, Carvalho G, Sato T, Hatzakorzian R, Lattermann R, Codere-Maruyama T, Matsukawa T, Schricker T.
Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Victoria Hospital, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. hsatou@yamanashi.ac.jp

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22829524

 

This study investigated the association between preoperative statin therapy and insulin sensitivity during surgery in 120 nondiabetic patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

 

Low insulin sensitivity (or increased insulin resistance) is a condition in which the cells of the body become resistant to the hormone insulin. Insulin resistance may be part of the metabolic syndrome, and it has been associated with higher risk of developing heart disease. Insulin resistance precedes the development of type two diabetes.

 

High blood sugar levels and a greater oscillation (greater variation) of blood sugar levels lead to damaged blood vessels and diabetes and may cause a multitude of complications such as: Kidney disease or kidney failure requiring dialysis, strokes, heart attacks, visual loss or blindness, immune system suppression with increased risk for infections, erectile dysfunction, nerve damage causing tingling, pain or decreased sensation in the feet, legs, and hands, and poor circulation to the legs and feet, with poor wound healing. In extreme cases, because of the poor wound healing, amputation is required.

 

The study found:

(a) Insulin sensitivity was ∼20% lower in those taking statins compared to those not taking statins.

(b) Blood sugar levels were 9% higher in those taking statins compared to those not taking statins.

(c) The oscillation of blood sugar levels was larger in those taking statins compared to those not taking statins. 

The study results show that preoperative use of statins is associated with increased insulin resistance in nondiabetic patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.

Read more ►