Abstract
Statins—VytorinTM, LipitorTM, LovastatinTM, CrestorTM, PravastatinTM , and SimvastatinTM—are the most widely used prescription drugs in the world. New treatment guidelines for high cholesterol will likely increase the number of individuals prescribed these drugs. Clinical trials demonstrate that statins reduce the incidence of coronary heart disease for people with a history of coronary heart disease (CHD) and to a lesser extent, for individuals without a history of CHD. Statins can cause side effects and complications like rhabdomyolysis (muscle destruction); abnormal changes in liver function; myopathy (muscle disease); cataracts; and sexual dysfunction. Some of these side effects can affect a significant number of people. There continues to be confusion regarding the benefits of statins and subsequent risks associated with taking these drugs. Information presented to doctors and patients tends to be misleading and difficult to interpret. This is due, in large part, to the use of relative risks rather than absolute values when communicating information on the benefits of taking statins. In light of this situation, a unique graphic functioning as a decision aid has been developed to enable physicians and patients to jointly assess the benefits and risks of statin use. By characterizing the complexities of risk analysis in terms doctors can understand, patients will be able to make well-informed decisions about their health.
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Rifkin, E., Lazris, A. (2015). Statins, Cholesterol, and Coronary Heart Disease. In: Interpreting Health Benefits and Risks. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11544-3_16
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11544-3_16
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