Another use for statins? Cholesterol-lowering drugs slash the risk of death from cirrhosis by nearly half

Statins reduce the risk of dying from the alcohol-related condition by 43%
Doctors are reluctant to prescribe as statins cause abnormal liver enzymes
Past research shows drugs reduce death from hepatitis B or C, and infections
Statins may improve liver scarring and reduce scar tissue accumulations’ onset
Experts say results are promising and they hope studies will verify the findings

Statins slash the risk of death from cirrhosis by nearly half, new research reveals.

The cholesterol-lowering drugs reduce the risk of dying from the alcohol-related condition by 43 per cent, a study found.

Doctors have previously been reluctant to prescribe statins to liver disease patients due to concerns the drugs cause abnormal liver enzyme levels in the blood, according to the researchers.

This is despite past research demonstrating the medication prevents fatalities in patients with cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B or C, as well as other infections.

Study author Dr Ulrich Bang from the University Hospital of Hvidovre in Denmark, said: ‘Our finding supports the hypothesis that statins may ameliorate the course of cirrhosis and decrease the rate of fibrosis.’

Statins slash the risk of death from cirrhosis by nearly half, new research reveals

STATINS HAVE ‘NO CONSISTENT EVIDENCE’ OF IMPROVING HEART ATTACK PATIENTS’ SURVIVAL

Statins have ‘no consistent evidence’ of improving heart attack patients’ survival, researchers from around the world conclude.

Taking a daily statin for five years after a heart attack extends your life by just four days, research revealed in July.

The researchers add that statins’ supposed benefits are based on ‘cherry-picked science’ and are unjustly promoted by pharmaceutical giants.

Heart attack survivors should instead aim to improve their health through diet and exercise, according to the researchers, which included the Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust.

Statins are the most prescribed drugs in the UK. Commonly reported side effects include headache, muscle pain and nausea. They can also increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

How the research was carried out

The researchers analysed alcohol-related cirrhosis diagnoses and statin use in Danish registers between 1995 and 2014.

Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver caused by long-term damage. It prevents the organ functioning properly and can cause fatal liver failure. Excessive alcohol intake is a common cause.

The researchers assessed statin use from a patient’s first exposure to the drugs until the time of their death or the end of their prescription.

A total of 5,417 people with an average age of 56 were included in the study.

Statins reduce the risk of early death in cirrhosis by 43%

Results reveal patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis are 43 per cent less likely to die prematurely if they take statins.

Doctors have previously been reluctant to prescribe statins to liver disease patients due to concerns the drugs cause abnormal liver enzyme levels in the blood.

Dr Bang said: ‘I think clinicians are afraid to use statins in this population because of the potential for infection of the liver.

‘Our finding supports the hypothesis that statins may ameliorate the course of cirrhosis and decrease the rate of fibrosis.

‘The results are promising and we are looking forward to seeing whether prospective trials can verify the finding.’

Liver fibrosis is the excessive accumulation of scar tissue from ongoing inflammation and cell death that occurs in most forms of liver disease.

The findings were published in the journal Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics.

Previous research reveals statins can reduce the risk of premature death in patients with cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B or C and other infections.