title: Statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and physical performance in older women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine associations between angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and statin medications and baseline and mean annual change in physical performance measures and muscle strength in older women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants from the Women's Health Initiative Clinical Trials aged 65 to 79 at baseline who had physical performance measures, self-report of health insurance, and no prior history of stroke or congestive heart failure were included (N = 5,777). Women were recruited between 1993 and 1998.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medication use was ascertained through a baseline inventory. Physical performance measures (timed 6-m walk, repeated chair stands in 15 seconds) and grip strength were assessed at baseline and follow-up Years 1, 3, and 6. Multivariable-adjusted linear repeated-measures models were adjusted for demographic and health characteristics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ACE inhibitor use was associated with lower mean grip strength at baseline (22.40 kg, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 21.89-22.91 vs 23.18 kg, 95% CI 23.02-23.34; P = .005) and greater mean annual change in number of chair stands (-0.182, 95% CI -0.217 to -0.147 vs -0.145, 95% CI -0.156 to -0.133; P = .05) than nonuse. Statin use was not significantly associated with baseline measures or mean annual change for any outcome. A subgroup analysis suggested that statin use was associated with less mean annual change in chair stands (P = .006) in the oldest women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results do not support an association between statin or ACE inhibitor use and slower decline in physical performance or muscle strength and thus do not support the use of these medications for preserving functional status in older adults.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, USA. slgray@u.washington.edu
authors.forename: Shelly L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: Aaron K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Aragaki
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: LaMonte
authors.forename: Barbara B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Cochrane
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kooperberg
authors.forename: Jennifer G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Nancy F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.forename: Andrea Z
authors.initials: AZ
authors.lastname: LaCroix
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000187:drug effects; D010809:Physical Fitness; D016138:Walking
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors