title: Long-term statin use and dementia risk in Taiwan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effect of statin use on dementia risk remains unclear. This study aims to examine the association between long-term statin use and dementia risk.
  
  
  METHODS
  A nest case-control study within a nationwide representative population-based cohort. Individuals aged 50 years and older participating in Taiwan's National Health Insurance program between 1998 and 2009 were enrolled. A total of 9257 patients with at least 3 outpatient or 1 inpatient claims records for dementia were identified. Comparison patients were selected at a 1:2 ratio from age- and sex-matched participants without dementia. The cumulative period and average daily dosages of statins, fibrates, and other lipid-lowering agents were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The authors found a duration-response relationship, as dementia risk decreased by 9% per year of treatment of statins (adjusted odds ratio = 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.85-0.97). Use of high average dose statins for more than 1 year was associated with a lower risk of dementia than use of low average dose. However, there was no significant difference in dementia risks between lipophilic and hydrophilic statins. Fibrates or other lipid-lowering agents had no significant association with dementia risk.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that long-term use of statin is associated with a reduced dementia risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ping-Yen
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Shi-Kai
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chun-Lin
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, New Taipei City, Taiwan Graduate Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan elphinwu@yahoo.com.tw.
authors.forename: Chi-Shin
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs; D012306:Risk; D013624:Taiwan; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
keywords: dementia; epidemiology; pharmacotherapy