title: The impact of statins on psychological wellbeing: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cholesterol-lowering medications such as statins have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which may be beneficial for treating depression and improving mood. However, evidence regarding their effects remains inconsistent, with some studies reporting links to mood disturbances. We aimed to conduct a meta-analysis to determine the impact of statins on psychological wellbeing of individuals with or without hypercholesterolemia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Articles were identified using medical, health, psychiatric and social science databases, evaluated for quality, and data were synthesized and analyzed in RevMan-5 software using a random effects model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 7 randomized controlled trials included in the analysis represented 2,105 participants. A test for overall effect demonstrated no statistically significant differences in psychological wellbeing between participants receiving statins or a placebo (standardized mean difference (SMD) = -0.08, 95% CI -0.29 to 0.12; P = 0.42). Sensitivity analyses were conducted to separately analyze depression (n = 5) and mood (n = 2) outcomes; statins were associated with statistically significant improvements in mood scores (SMD = -0.43, 95% CI -0.61 to -0.24).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings refute evidence of negative effects of statins on psychological outcomes, providing some support for mood-related benefits. Future studies could examine the effects of statins in depressed populations.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia. AONEIL@BarwonHealth.org.au
authors.forename: Adrienne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: O'Neil
authors.forename: Livia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sanna
authors.forename: Cassie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Redlich
authors.forename: Kristy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sanderson
authors.forename: Felice
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jacka
authors.forename: Lana J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Pasco
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Berk
mesh_terms: D000339:Affect / Q000187:drug effects*; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008603:Mental Health
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors