title: Statin therapy in the elderly: a review.
abstract: Cardiovascular morbidity is the leading cause of mortality in the developed nations. Elevated serum cholesterol is a major risk factor for ischemic heart disease, one of the common cardiovascular morbidity in older adults, statins have been shown to be effective in reducing serum cholesterol and improving outcomes. Hypercholesterolemia is common in older adults and is one of the major modifiable risk factors. Yet, these patients have often been excluded from major clinical trials of statins and evidence suggests of their underuse. Data from recent clinical trials of statins indicate that the elderly patients with the highest cardiovascular risk are likely to derive the most benefits from cholesterol lowering. With the aging of the population, the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and cardiovascular morbidity is likely to increase. In this review we evaluate the evidence for the use of statins in older adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Diseases and Cardiological Rehabilitation, Medical University of Lodz, Hallera Sq. 1, 90-647 Lodz, Poland. iwonakoska@interia.pl
authors.forename: Iwona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Szadkowska
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stanczyk
authors.forename: Wilbert S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Aronow
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kowalski
authors.forename: Lucjan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pawlicki
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Banach
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors