Effects of statins on serum inflammatory markers: the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2004.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) treatment on serum inflammatory markers using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 1999-2004).


RESULTS
A total of 9,128 individuals aged 40 and older participated in the NHANES. The inflammatory markers studied were white blood cell counts (WBC), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) and ferritin. Other covariables were: age, gender, race/ethnicity, body mass index, prescription or nonprescription medication use within the previous 30 days (statins, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics). Four analytic groups for drug use were defined: Statin users; AI/Antibiotic users (use of either anti-inflammatory or antibiotic drugs); Combination group (use of both Statins and anti-inflammatory or antibiotic drugs), and a Non-use group (taking none of the listed drugs). The mean CRP level was significantly lower in the Statin use group than the Non-use group (0.3 mg/dL, 95%CI: 0.3-0.3 and 0.4 mg/dL, 95%CI: 0.4-0.5). In multivariable regression modeling, the Statin use group had significantly lower predicted mean WBC (Beta Coeff: -0.2, p < 0.05) and CRP (Beta Coeff: -0.1, p < 0.01) values than the Non-use group.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with statins was significantly associated with decreased WBC and CRP levels in this large population-based sample.
Yoon
Sung Sug
SS
Division of Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hyattsville, MD 20782, USA. syoon1@cdc.gov
Dillon
Charles F
CF
Carroll
Margaret
M
Illoh
Kachi
K
Ostchega
Yechiam
Y
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D005006:Ethnicity; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States
D015415:Biomarkers; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D005293:Ferritins