Researchers in France conducted a randomized trial examining the effects of discontinuing statin therapy in older adults without a history of cardiovascular disease. The study, published in the Lancet Healthy Longevity, enrolled 1,160 patients with an average age of 80 across general practitioners’ offices in France. Participants had been taking statins for at least one year, with most on the medications for at least five years as a preventive measure against atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Participants were divided into two groups and followed for three years. The group that stopped taking statins experienced a 50% increase in LDL cholesterol levels, rising from 115 to 171 mg/dL, while those continuing the medications saw no change. However, mortality rates at the end of the study were similar between groups: 7.2% in the discontinuation group and 7.9% in the continuation group. Additionally, there were no significant differences in major cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes, between the two groups. Quality of life measures, both physical and mental, remained stable in both groups throughout the study period.
The authors emphasized that their findings apply specifically to the study population and require confirmation in other groups, particularly those at higher cardiovascular risk. They noted that the results differ from larger non-randomized trials conducted in Denmark and Italy in 2021, which had shown approximately 30% higher risk for cardiovascular outcomes after statin discontinuation. The researchers attributed these differences to methodological factors, suggesting that observational studies may introduce bias by not accounting for why patients stopped taking statins.
Experts cautioned that the findings should not be broadly applied to all older adults. Commentators stressed that treatment decisions regarding statins should be individualized, considering factors such as life expectancy, comorbidities, patient understanding of risks, and personal preferences. They noted that deprescribing should not be confused with abandoning treatment altogether, but rather ensuring medications align with patient goals and health status.
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