Statins In The Elderly

Statins in primary prevention are associated with a 1.2% decreased absolute risk of cardiovascular events in large randomized studies. Anyway, in patients ≥ 75 years, the impact of statins on mortality have not been demonstrated and large observational studies have shown an increased risk of mortality in people with low cholesterol. Moreover, statins are associated with numerous side effects, particularly in the elderly including myalgia and myositis, diabetes, cognitive disorders, fatigue and loss of energy and of physical activities, treatment interactions. At last, the cost of statins for the French national health insurance is 800 million euros per year (including around 200 million euros for people ≥ 75 years).

The benefit/risk ratio of statins is not established in primary prevention in people ≥ 75 years, leading to numerous and discordant expert advices since no specific randomized trial have been conducted in this population.

Thus, in patients ≥ 75 years treated with statins in primary prevention, the studied strategy will be to stop statin therapy. The comparison strategy will be represented by the group of patient who will continue their statin at the same dose.

Patients will be followed up every three months, according to general recommendations, during 36 months. Clinical events will be prospectively registered

Inclusion criteria

• People aged ≥ 75 years
• Treated with any statin from at least one year, in primary prevention
• Having replied to a standardized questionnaire allowing to screen any history of cardiovascular event
• Consent form signed

Exclusion criteria

• Life prognosis below 6 months
• Patient with known homozygous or double heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia
• Dementia