Statins and Mortality in Patients with Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease

In an observational study, all-cause mortality was lower in patients who initiated statins.

Systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs; e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, Sjogren syndrome, myositis, and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody–related vasculitis) — are associated with excess risk for premature cardiovascular disease (CVD). The combination of systemic inflammation and corticosteroid use might be responsible for much of this risk. In this study, U.K. researchers used a nationally representative database to determine whether statins might be associated with lower mortality in patients with SARDs; they compared SARDs patients who initiated statins and SARDs patients who did not, during a 14-year period.

During 5 years of follow-up, more deaths occurred among statin initiators than noninitiators. Howe…

Reviewing Author

Jonathan S. Coblyn, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory BoardCVS Health

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Jonathan S. Coblyn, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory BoardCVS Health

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Statins and Mortality in Patients with Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Disease

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Reviewing Author