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Statins may reduce risk for cataracts
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AMSTERDAM — Statin use appears to lower the rate of cataracts by 20%, according to research presented at ESC Congress 2013.
“The effect [of statins] is magnified with longer use and among younger individuals,” John B. Kostis, MD, director of the Cardiovascular Institute, associate dean for cardiovascular research, and John G. Detwiler Professor of Cardiology, Medicine and Pharmacology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, N.J., said at a press conference.
Researchers investigated the relationship between statins and cataracts in a meta-analysis of 14 studies. The analysis included 2,403,644 patients and 25,618 cataracts. On average, the duration of statin use was 54 months and the patients’ mean age was 61 years.
“To our knowledge, this is the first meta-analysis on the topic,” Kostis stated in a press release.
John B. Kostis
The new data demonstrate a significant decrease in the rate of cataracts among patients treated with statins compared with those who had never used a statin (OR=0.8; 95% CI, 0.77-0.83). The absolute risk reduction was 1.4% (95% CI, 1.1-1.7).
Overall risk for cataracts was reduced by 50% for younger patients aged about 40 years compared with 10% for patients aged about 70 years.
Longer treatment duration of about 13 years was associated with a 55% lower risk for cataracts compared with shorter treatment duration of about 6 months, which was associated with a 10% reduction in risk.
Risk reduction did not differ between men and women.
“This meta-analysis indicates a statistically significant and clinically relevant protective effect of statins in preventing cataracts. Our findings dispel worries about the safety of statins when it comes to cataracts, and lends additional support to long-term statin use,” Kostis stated.
For more information:
Kostis JB. Primary cardiovascular prevention: Interventions and outcomes. #833. Presented at: the European Society of Cardiology Congress; Aug. 31-Sept. 4, 2013; Amsterdam.
Disclosure: Kostis reports serving on the speakers’ bureau for Merck and consulting for Sanofi, both related to the treatment of hypercholesterolemia..