Statin administration and risk of cholecystectomy: a population-based case-control study.
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.
Merzon
Eugene
E
Department of Family Medicine Leumit HMO, Israel.
Weiss
Noel S
NS
Lustman
Alex James
AJ
Elhayani
Asher
A
Dresner
Julian
J
Vinker
Shlomo
S
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
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors