title: Statin administration and risk of cholecystectomy: a population-based case-control study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gallstone disease is common in Western countries. Statins reduce biliary cholesterol secretion and have anti-inflammatory effects, suggesting that they may play a role in reducing the incidence of surgically treated gallstone disease.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine a potential association between statin administration and risk of cholecystectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a population-based case-control study of surgically treated gallstone disease using the database of Clalit Health Services (CHS). The study population consisted of all individuals age 40 - 85 enrolled with the central region of CHS during the period 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2006. We identified patients who underwent cholecystectomy between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2006 (n = 1465). Controls (n = 5860) were individually matched on year of birth and sex in a 4:1 ratio. Multivariable conditional logistic regression models to compute the odds ratio of cholecystectomy associated with statin therapy were constructed to control for patients' clinical and socio-demographic characteristics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statin use with at least 80% adherence to treatment was associated with about 30% reduction in the risk of cholecystectomy (adjusted odds ratio 0.69; 95% CI 0.57 - 0.84).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of our large population-based study suggest that the use of statins reduces the risk of surgery for gallstone disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine Leumit HMO, Israel.
authors.forename: Eugene
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Merzon
authors.forename: Noel S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: Alex James
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Lustman
authors.forename: Asher
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Elhayani
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dresner
authors.forename: Shlomo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vinker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002763:Cholecystectomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005705:Gallbladder Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors