Older adults are at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease, but fewer of them use statins compared to middle-aged adults. A recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Oxford found that statin treatment is both cost-effective and correlated with better health outcomes in older adults. This study aimed to re-examine the value of statin therapy for older adults using the latest evidence and contemporary population data. The findings were published in the journal Heart and suggest that statins can be beneficial for older adults with or without previous cardiovascular disease.
The U.K. Biobank and Whitehall II study data of more than 20,000 adults in the U.K. aged 70 and older was analyzed for this observational study. The researchers used a cardiovascular disease simulation model to estimate participants’ heart disease risk, survival rate, quality-adjusted life years, and healthcare costs with and without lifetime standard or higher intensity statin therapy. They found that both standard and higher-intensity statin therapy led to increased quality-adjusted life years in older adults, with a reduction in LDL cholesterol levels of 35-45% for standard therapy and 45% or more for higher-intensity treatment.
The cost-effectiveness of statin use in older adults was also examined, with the cost per quality-adjusted life years gained for standard therapy being below £3,502 and below £11,778 for higher intensity therapy. These costs are well below the threshold for good value interventions, indicating that statin treatment is likely to be a good value-for-money option for people over 70 years old. The findings suggest that more older adults should be considered for statin treatment to reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke.
According to Borislava Mihaylova, DPhil, the senior health economist at the Nuffield Department of Population Health, more people over 70 years of age should be considered for statin treatment. Statins are effective in reducing levels of LDL cholesterol and lowering the risk of heart attacks and stroke. The study’s results show substantial health benefits with statin therapy across different age groups and risk levels in the population. It is important for older adults, especially those with previous cardiovascular disease, to continue taking statins to maintain their benefits and reduce the risk of recurrent events.
Dr. Yu-Ming Ni, a cardiologist and lipidologist, emphasized the importance of continuing statin therapy into older age, especially for patients with prior cardiovascular disease. He noted that statins are effective in preventing heart disease and reducing the risk of recurrent events such as heart attacks, strokes, and leg artery blockages. The study’s findings suggest that the benefits of statin therapy persist in older age, and patients should continue taking their medication unless there is a strong reason to stop. Overall, statins are a valuable and cost-effective treatment option for older adults at high risk for cardiovascular disease.
