University of Massachusetts Medical School Faculty Publications
Title
Statins for Primary Prevention in Older Adults: Uncertainty and the Need for More Evidence
UMMS Affiliation
Meyers Primary Care Institute; Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine
Publication Date
2016-11-15
Document Type
Article
Disciplines
Cardiovascular Diseases | Geriatrics
Abstract
Introduction: Given the substantially increasing geriatric population, the need for evidence-based strategies to address the medical and societal consequences of these demographic trends has never been greater. In this context, statins for primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) provide substantial potential social value by improving health and survival. However, using statins for primary prevention in older adults presents a clinical dilemma. Even though compelling evidence exists supporting statins for secondary prevention in individuals older than 75 years with clinical ASCVD, the same cannot be said for primary prevention. In this Viewpoint, we describe existing evidence on the benefits of statins for primary prevention in older adults, uncertainties about risks, and the need for a randomized trial before non–evidence-based prescribing patterns become irreversibly incorporated into practice.
Keywords
Cardiology, Geriatrics, Dyslipidemia, Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors
DOI of Published Version
10.1001/jama.2016.15212
Source
JAMA. 2016 Nov 15;316(19):1971-1972. doi: 10.1001/jama.2016.15212. Link to article on publisher's site
Related Resources
Journal/Book/Conference Title
JAMA
PubMed ID
27838724
Repository Citation
Gurwitz, Jerry H.; Go, Alan S.; and Fortmann, Stephen P., "Statins for Primary Prevention in Older Adults: Uncertainty and the Need for More Evidence" (2016). University of Massachusetts Medical School Faculty Publications. 1237.
https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/faculty_pubs/1237