Statins and gallstone disease

Statins and gallstone disease

Statins have been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and death from all causes. Now another potential benefit is being reported: Statins may reduce gallstone disease. Utilizing a large patient database from the United Kingdom, researchers looked at the risk of developing gallstones followed by cholecystectomy in relation to exposure to lipid-lowering agents. The longer patients took statins, the lower the risk for gallstone disease, with patients who had filled 20 or more prescriptions noticing 36% reduction in risk (AOR, 0.64; 95% confidence interval, 0.59-0.70). The authors conclude that long-term use of statins is associated with a decrease risk of gallstones followed by cholecystectomy (JAMA 2009;302:2001-2007).