HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) for dialysis patients
Abstract
Background
Cardiovascular disease accounts for more than half the number of deaths among dialysis patients. The role of HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) in the treatment of hyperlipidemia in dialysis patients is unclear and their safety has not been established.
Objectives
To assess the benefits and harms of statins in peritoneal dialysis (PD) and hemodialysis patients (HD).
Search methods
We searched MEDLINE (1966‐July 2003), EMBASE (1980‐July 2003), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled trials (CENTRAL, in The Cochrane Library ‐ issue 2, 2004), the Cochrane Renal Group's specialized register (April 2004) and handsearched reference lists of textbooks, articles and scientific proceedings.
Selection criteria
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi‐RCTs comparing statins with placebo, no treatment or other statins in dialysis patients.
Data collection and analysis
Two reviewers independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. Statistical analyses were performed using the random effects model after testing for heterogeneity. The results were expressed as mean difference (MD) for continuous outcomes and risk ratio (RR) for dichotomous outcomes with 95% confidence intervals (CI).
Main results
Six studies involving 357 participants were identified ‐ three studies had both continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and HD participants, two included only HD participants and one study only included CAPD participants. Studies were all of short duration and morbidity and mortality were not assessed. Average total cholesterol decreased significantly with statins compared to placebo in all dialysis patients (MD ‐53.70 mg/dL (1.40 mmol/L), 95% CI ‐66.95 to ‐40.54). Similarly, average LDL cholesterol decreased significantly with statins in comparison to placebo in all patients (MD ‐55.40 mg/dL (1.44 mmol/L), 95% CI ‐69.90 to ‐40.90) as did average triglycerides (‐33.72 mg/dL (0.37 mmol/L), 95% CI ‐54.16 to ‐13.28). There was a significant increase in average HDL cholesterol levels (MD 4.84 mg/dL (0.13 mmol/L), 95% CI 0.28 to 9.40) with statins compared to placebo in HD but not in CAPD patients. One trial compared statins to the hypolidemic agent probucol and found no significant differences between the two treatment groups.
Authors' conclusions
Statins used for 12 weeks decreased cholesterol levels in dialysis patients similar to the general population. Included studies were of short duration and therefore the efficacy of statins in decreasing the cardiovascular, cerebrovascular events and mortality rates is still unclear. The safety of statins needs to be addressed in the current ongoing clinical trials.
PICOs
Plain language summary
Statins reduce total cholesterol and triglycerides in dialysis patients to a level similar to the general population
Dialysis patients are at high risk of heart disease and have high cholesterol levels. Statins have been shown to decrease cholesterol levels and mortality in the general population. The aim of this review was to see if a similar effect could be shown in dialysis patients. This review showed that statins decreased total cholesterol and triglyceride levels to a level similar to that seen in the general population. Their long‐term efficacy in decreasing the death rates and their side effect profile in dialysis patients still needs to be studied.
