Physician practice in the discontinuation of statins among patients with advanced lung cancer.
BACKGROUND
Statins are effective in reducing events from coronary heart disease and can prolong survival. However, this benefit is controversial when other concurrent serious health problems greatly limit the patient's longevity.


METHODS
We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with advanced lung cancer who were receiving statins and had lived for at least one month since diagnosis.


RESULTS
Forty-seven patients with median age of 71 years were included. Discontinuation of statins occurred in 25 patients (53.2%) before the date of death. Median survival was 370 days. Statins were discontinued at a median of 244 days after cancer diagnosis. Discontinuations were more prevalent in patients who received chemotherapy or had a history of cerebrovascular diseases. Lipid monitoring was observed in 25 patients (53.2%).


CONCLUSIONS
About half of patients with advanced lung cancer who were prescribed statins did not have this drug discontinued until the time of death. Lipid monitoring was suboptimal and, when it occurred, indicated the lipid goal was rarely achieved.
Tanvetyanon
Tawee
T
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida, USA.
Choudhury
Abdul M
AM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000150:complications; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000150:complications; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007087:Illinois / Q000453:epidemiology; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D018579:Patient Selection; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D028761:Withholding Treatment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors