Should We Put Statins in the Water? A Possible Therapy to Speed Healing of Venous Ulcers

Results in smaller ulcers were impressive.

Venous insufficiency is a major cause of leg ulcers, and treatment of these ulcers is often difficult. Compression is the primary therapy. Previous reports have suggested benefits from adjuvant treatment with low-dose aspirin (Lancet 1994; 344:164), pentoxifylline (Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2012; 12:CD001733), and most recently, topical beta-blockers (J Am Acad Dermatol 2013; 69:e204). Simvastatin has been shown to have potential benefit for wound healing in animal studies.

These authors performed a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of simvastatin 40 mg in 66 patients with uninfected ulcers smaller than 10 cm in diameter. Simvastatin was given for 10 weeks with compression; patients were seen every 2 weeks. Results were analyzed for ul…

Reviewing Author

Jeffrey P. Callen, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board XOMA; Eli Lilly; Celgene

Equity Various trust accounts

Editorial boards JAMA Dermatology; UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societies Association of Professors of Dermatology (President-Elect)