Impact of Statin Therapy on Plasma Uric Acid Concentrations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to ascertain the effect size of statins in modulating plasma uric acid concentrations.


METHODS
A search was undertaken of the MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Web of Science and Google Scholar electronic databases.


METHODS
Studies meeting the following criteria were included: (i) randomized controlled trials with either a parallel or crossover design; (ii) investigated the impact of statin therapy on plasma uric acid concentrations; and (iii) presentation of sufficient information on uric acid values at baseline and at the end of follow-up in each group, or presenting the net change.


RESULTS
The present meta-analysis suggested a significant reduction in plasma uric acid levels following statin therapy; however, this does not seem to be a class effect as subgroup analysis revealed a significant reduction with atorvastatin and simvastatin only, and not with pravastatin and rosuvastatin.


CONCLUSIONS
Atorvastatin and simvastatin, but not the other statins, can reduce serum uric acid levels.
Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia and Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, Pavia, Italy. giuseppe.derosa@unipv.it.|Center for the Study of Endocrine-Metabolic Pathophysiology and Clinical Research, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy. giuseppe.derosa@unipv.it.|Molecular Medicine Laboratory, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy. giuseppe.derosa@unipv.it.
Giuseppe
G
Derosa
Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia and Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, Pavia, Italy.|PhD School in Experimental Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
Pamela
P
Maffioli
Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine University of Zagreb, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
Željko
Ž
Reiner
Biomedical Research Unit, Mexican Social Security Institute, Durango, Mexico.
Luis E
LE
Simental-Mendía
Department of Medical Biotechnology, Biotechnology Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, PO Box 91779-48564, Mashhad, Iran.
Amirhossein
A
Sahebkar
D000069059:Atorvastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D033461:Hyperuricemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood*
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D014527:Uric Acid; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D019821:Simvastatin