title: How statistical deception created the appearance that statins are safe and effective in primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.
abstract: We have provided a critical assessment of research on the reduction of cholesterol levels by statin treatment to reduce cardiovascular disease. Our opinion is that although statins are effective at reducing cholesterol levels, they have failed to substantially improve cardiovascular outcomes. We have described the deceptive approach statin advocates have deployed to create the appearance that cholesterol reduction results in an impressive reduction in cardiovascular disease outcomes through their use of a statistical tool called relative risk reduction (RRR), a method which amplifies the trivial beneficial effects of statins. We have also described how the directors of the clinical trials have succeeded in minimizing the significance of the numerous adverse effects of statin treatment.
authors: Medical Research Service, Veterans Hospital, Tampa, 33612 FL, USA.
authors: David M
authors: DM
authors: Diamond
authors: Uffe
authors: U
authors: Ravnskov
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D008192:Deception; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods; D012107:Research Design / Q000592:standards; D012306:Risk; D055502:Secondary Prevention / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
keywords: absolute risk; adverse effects; cancer; dementia; hypercholesterolemia; myositis; relative risk; statins; trials