Evidence-based treatment of lipids in the elderly.
The elderly (men aged 65 years and older and women aged 75 years and older) constitute a population at high absolute risk for the morbidity and mortality of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Statins have been shown in multiple large trials to reduce the burden of atherosclerotic disease in both middle-aged and elderly patients at elevated risk for coronary events, stroke, and death. We reviewed the major statin trials with particular emphasis on the significant number of elderly subjects. The impact of statins on the elderly, both positive and negative, is tabulated. In addition, we briefly discuss risk assessment in the elderly because selection of elderly patients for intensive low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduction with statins requires clinical judgment that must weigh the need for subclinical measures of atherosclerosis. We also consider negative aspects, risks, and costs of such therapy.
Department of Medicine/Division of Cardiology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 211 E. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
Micah J
MJ
Eimer
Neil J
NJ
Stone
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000187:drug effects; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D012306:Risk; D018570:Risk Assessment
D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors