A new analysis of the results of the Justification for the Use of Statins in Primary Prevention: An Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin (JUPITER) trial concludes that nearly one in five middle-aged adults who are not yet on a statin may need to be treated with one, according to an article published online last week in the journal Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality Outcomes .

Statins are primarily used in patients with elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or 'bad' cholesterol). However, recent findings of the JUPITER trial indicate that statin therapy reduces cardiovascular risk among older individuals with at-goal levels of LDL, but elevated levels of an inflammatory marker called C-reactive protein. Using data from the 1999 to 2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), researchers from Yale University School of Medicine estimated that 57.9% of older Americans (including men aged 50 and over and women aged 60 and over) are either currently taking a statin or indicated for statin therapy based on previous guidelines. The researchers also estimated that an additional 19.2% of older adults may become newly eligible for statin therapy based on their C-reactive protein levels and the findings of the JUPITER trial.

The researchers found that those adults who had an indication for statin therapy were more likely to be female, to be older, and to have obesity, high blood pressure, and metabolic syndrome. The results of this analysis suggest that nearly 80% of older adults should be treated with a statin to significantly reduce cardiovascular risk, which could translate into a significant increase in healthcare costs.

Source

Circ Cardiovasc Qual Outcomes 2009;DOI:10.1161/circoutcomes.108.832592.