Study Objective
To evaluate the association between statin therapy and risk of psychological disorders including schizophrenia, psychosis, major depression, and bipolar disorder in a military population.
Design
Retrospective, observational, population-based, propensity score-matched, cohort study.
Setting
Database of a patient population enrolled in the San Antonio Military Multi-Market Area as Tricare Prime or Plus.
Patients
Medical records were reviewed from 46249 patients aged 30 to 85 years who were continuously enrolled in the San Antonio Military Multi-Market Area as Tricare Prime or Plus from October 1, 2003 to March 1, 2010. Data were obtained from the Military Health System Management Analysis and Reporting Tool (M2). Based on medication fills during fiscal year 2005, patients were stratified as statin users (N=13626 who received at least 90-days supply of statin) or non-users (N=32623 who never received a statin during the study period). A propensity score-matched cohort of 6972 statin users and 6972 non-users from this population was created.
Measurements and Main Results
The occurrence of psychological disorders between October 1, 2005 and March 1, 2010 was determined using pre-specified groups of International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification codes: 1) Psych1: schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorders, and other psychosis; 2) Psych2: major depression and bipolar disorder; 3) Psych3: all psychological disorders as identified by the Agency for Health Research and Quality-Clinical Classifications (except for categories of childhood or developmental psychiatric disorders). Among matched pairs of statin users and non-users, the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (OR, 95%CI) were as follows: Psych1 (0.9, 0.75–1.05), Psych2 (1.02, 0.94–1.11), and Psych3 (1.02, 0.96–1.1).
Conclusion
The risk of developing psychological disorders was similar in this cohort of propensity score-matched statin users and non-users.