No connection between the level of exposition to statins in the population and the incidence/mortality of acute myocardial infarction: An ecological study based on Sweden's municipalities

Abstract

BackgroundRandomised controlled trials have shown an excellent preventive effect of statins on ischemic heart disease. Our objective was to investigate if a relation can be detected between acute myocardial infarction- (AMI) mortality or incidence and statin utilisation, for men and women in different age-groups on a population basis.ResultsThe utilisation rate of statins increased almost three times for both men and women between 1998 and 2002. During 1998-2000 the incidence of AMI decreased clearly for men but only slightly for women. Mortality decreased from 1998 to 2002. The change in statin utilisation from 1998 to 2000 showed no correlation to the change in AMI mortality from 2000 to 2002. Statin utilisation and AMI- incidence or mortality showed no correlations when adjusting for socio-economic deprivation, antidiabetic drugs and geographic coordinates.ConclusionsDespite a widespread and increasing utilisation of statins, no correlation to the incidence or mortality of AMI could be detected. Other factors than increased statin treatment should be analysed especially when discussing the allocation of public resources.

Time trends in statin utilisation and coronary mortality in Western European countries

“…This was confirmed in a Swedish study including a large sample of municipalities, where no correlation was shown between statin utilisation and acute myocardial infarction incidence or mortality. 31 …”

“… 54–56 Higher prescription rates have been reported in women and the elderly. 31 57 There is also a socioeconomic gradient in the utilisation of statins. More patients with higher income and educational levels start statin treatment compared to patients with lower income, especially in secondary prevention.…”

LDL-C does not cause cardiovascular disease: a comprehensive review of the current literature

“…However, this interpretation is highly questionable [72]. In a Swedish study including 289 of the 290 municipalities, no association was found between statin use and the change in mortality from AMI [102]. Also, the American National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey [103] found that during the period 1999-2006, the number of AMI and strokes increased from 3.4% to 3.7% and from 2.0% to 2.9%, respectively.…”

Cholesterol, Atherosclerosis, Lipid-Lowering Therapy. Is It Completely Clear?

“…По-прежнему заболевания атеросклеротической природы остаются наиболее распространенными и занимают первые строчки в списке причин смерти. Предположение о том, что снижение сердечно-сосудистой смертности, отмечаемое в последние десятилетия в некоторых странах, может быть связано с массовым применением гиполипидемических средств (статинов), встречает серьезные возражения [1][2][3].…”