Effect of statins for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease among elderly

Abstract

mortality data. Study cohort was statin-naïve patients initially prescribed statin therapy from January 2003-July 2011, and registered within the practice for ≥1 year preceding statin initiation. High-dose was defined as simvastatin 80mg, fluvastatin 80mg, atorvastatin>20mg, rosuvastatin>10mg. Adjusted Cox regression models were used to predict factors associated with discontinuation and CV event risk. RESULTS: Only 2% (4,744/218,808) of patients started on a high-dose statin; 4,399/4,744, (93%) on atorvastatin, a third taking atorvastatin 80mg. Adherence was high based on prescribed medication possession ratio for high-(0.96, SD:0.08) and low-dose (0.95, SD:0.10) initiation. Initial dose was not a predictor of discontinuation in the overall population (HR:0.96 95%CI:0.91-1.02), but in patients with CV history, high-dose initiation was associated with lower discontinuation risk (HR:0.87 95%CI 0.78-0.96). In the overall population increased CV event rates were associated with initiation of high-dose statin (