Aims: As the potential impact of statins on cognitive decline and dementia is still debated, we conducted a meta-analysis of observational studies to examine the effect of statin use on the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia. Methods and results: PubMed, Cochrane, and EMBASE were searched since inception to January 2021. Inclusion criteria were: (i) cohort or case-control studies; (ii) statin users compared to non-users; and (iii) AD and/or dementia risk as outcome. Estimates from original studies were pooled using restricted maximum-likelihood random-effect model. Measure of effects were reported as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). In the pooled analyses, statins were associated with a decreased risk of dementia [36 studies, OR 0.80 (CI 0.75-0.86)] and of AD [21 studies, OR 0.68 (CI 0.56-0.81)]. In the stratified analysis by sex, no difference was observed in the risk reduction of dementia between men [OR 0.86 (CI 0.81-0.92)] and women [OR 0.86 (CI 0.81-0.92)]. Similar risks were observed for lipophilic and hydrophilic statins for both dementia and AD, while high-potency statins showed a 20% reduction of dementia risk compared with a 16% risk reduction associated with low-potency statins, suggesting a greater efficacy of the former, although a borderline statistical significance (P = 0.05) for the heterogeneity between estimates. Conclusion: These results confirm the absence of a neurocognitive risk associated with statin treatment and suggest a potential favourable role of statins. Randomized clinical trials with an ad hoc design are needed to explore this potential neuroprotective effect.

Statin use and risk of dementia or Alzheimer's disease : a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies / E. Olmastroni, G. Molari, N. De Beni, O. Colpani, F. Galimberti, M. Gazzotti, A. Zambon, A.L. Catapano, M. Casula. - In: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PREVENTIVE CARDIOLOGY. - ISSN 2047-4873. - 29:5(2022 May 05), pp. 804-814. [10.1093/eurjpc/zwab208]

Statin use and risk of dementia or Alzheimer's disease : a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

E. Olmastroni;O. Colpani;F. Galimberti;M. Gazzotti;A.L. Catapano
Penultimo
;
M. Casula
Ultimo
2022

Abstract

Aims: As the potential impact of statins on cognitive decline and dementia is still debated, we conducted a meta-analysis of observational studies to examine the effect of statin use on the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia. Methods and results: PubMed, Cochrane, and EMBASE were searched since inception to January 2021. Inclusion criteria were: (i) cohort or case-control studies; (ii) statin users compared to non-users; and (iii) AD and/or dementia risk as outcome. Estimates from original studies were pooled using restricted maximum-likelihood random-effect model. Measure of effects were reported as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). In the pooled analyses, statins were associated with a decreased risk of dementia [36 studies, OR 0.80 (CI 0.75-0.86)] and of AD [21 studies, OR 0.68 (CI 0.56-0.81)]. In the stratified analysis by sex, no difference was observed in the risk reduction of dementia between men [OR 0.86 (CI 0.81-0.92)] and women [OR 0.86 (CI 0.81-0.92)]. Similar risks were observed for lipophilic and hydrophilic statins for both dementia and AD, while high-potency statins showed a 20% reduction of dementia risk compared with a 16% risk reduction associated with low-potency statins, suggesting a greater efficacy of the former, although a borderline statistical significance (P = 0.05) for the heterogeneity between estimates. Conclusion: These results confirm the absence of a neurocognitive risk associated with statin treatment and suggest a potential favourable role of statins. Randomized clinical trials with an ad hoc design are needed to explore this potential neuroprotective effect.
Alzheimer’s disease; dementia; meta-analysis; observational studies; statins
Settore BIO/14 - Farmacologia
   Immunometabolic effects of apolipoprotein E: focus on the modulation of cholesterol metabolism in antigen presenting cells
   REPROGRAM
   FONDAZIONE CARIPLO
   2015-0524

   Targeting epigenetic REPROGRamming of innate immune cells in Atherosclerosis Management and other chronic inflammatory diseases
   REPROGRAM
   EUROPEAN COMMISSION
   H2020
   667837

   Low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR)-independent effects of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9): role in modulating insulin-resistance, ectopic fat accumulation and low-grade inflammation
   MINISTERO DELL'ISTRUZIONE E DEL MERITO
   2017H5F943_001
5-mag-2022
6-dic-2021
Article (author)
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
zwab208.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Publisher's version/PDF
Dimensione 834.52 kB
Formato Adobe PDF
834.52 kB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri
Pubblicazioni consigliate

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/901754
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 33
  • Scopus 77
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 74
social impact