Effect of statins on a wide range of health outcomes: a cohort study validated by comparison with randomized trials.

ABSTRACT:

Aims

To assess the effect of statins on a range of health outcomes.

Methods

We undertook a population-based cohort study to assess the effect of statins on a range of health outcomes using a propensity score-based method to control for differences between people prescribed and not prescribed statins. We validated our design by comparing our results for vascular outcomes with the effects established in large randomized trials. The study was based on the United Kingdom Health Improvement Network database that includes the computerized medical records of over four and a half million patients.

Results

People who initiated treatment with a statin (n = 129,288) were compared with a matched sample of 600,241 people who did not initiate treatment, with a median follow-up peri

SUBMITTER: Smeeth L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2668090 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature