1 day Ago By Neil Shaw, Lauren Peacock
Recent research suggests that fewer than 10% of people experience side effects from statins , with scientists arguing that intolerance to these cholesterol-lowering drugs is "over-estimated and over-diagnosed". The actual incidence is estimated to be between 6 and 10%, while up to half of those prescribed may discontinue using them or cut down the dosage. Such nonadherence increases the risk of heart and circulation issues brought on by harmful fats or lipids, which could result in potentially deadly blood clots.
Statins are often associated with muscle pain, headaches , dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and digestive problems. Lead author Professor Maciej Banach, from the Medical University of Lodz in Poland, remarked: "These results were not a surprise to me, but they were for many other experts." He added: "They show in most cases statin intolerance is over-estimated and over-diagnosed.
They mean around 93% of patients on statin therapy can be treated effectively - with very good tolerability and without any safety issues." The extensive research, the most comprehensive to date, involved more than 4 million individuals worldwide. With statins being prescribed to as many as 8 million people in Great Britain for the prevention of heart attacks and strokes, Professor Banach emphasized: "Our findings mean we should evaluate patients' symptoms very carefully.
" "Firstly to see whether symptoms are indeed caused by statins, and secondly, to evaluate whether it might be patients' perceptions that statins are harmful. The so-called 'nocebo' or 'drucebo' effect could be responsible for more than 50% of all symptoms - rather than the drug itself." Click here to follow the Mirror US on Google News to stay up to date with all the latest news, sports and entertainment stories.
Statins are some of the most widely prescribed medications, with "strong and unambiguous" evidence supporting their role in fighting cardiovascular disease. However, the exact percentage of the population that is truly allergic to them has been unclear until now. Reports from various studies, randomized controlled trials, and databases have shown inconsistent figures, ranging from five to 50%.
DAILY NEWSLETTER: Sign up here to get the latest news and updates from the Mirror US straight to your inbox with our FREE newsletter. A study published in the European Heart Journal has clarified this, pooling data from 176 studies. The overall prevalence of statin intolerance was 9%, which decreased to 7, 6.
7, and 6% according to diagnostic criteria from the National Lipid Association, the International Lipid Expert Panel, and the European Atherosclerosis Society. Those at a higher risk of statin intolerance included individuals who were older, female, of Black or Asian ethnicity, obese, or those suffering from diabetes, under-active thyroid glands, or chronic liver or kidney failure..
