Safety and benefit of discontinuing statin therapy in the setting of advanced, life-limiting illness: a randomized clinical trial.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

For patients with limited prognosis, some medication risks may outweigh the benefits, particularly when benefits take years to accrue; statins are one example. Data are lacking regarding the risks and benefits of discontinuing statin therapy for patients with limited life expectancy.

Objective

To evaluate the safety, clinical, and cost impact of discontinuing statin medications for patients in the palliative care setting.

Design, setting, and participants

This was a multicenter, parallel-group, unblinded, pragmatic clinical trial. Eligibility included adults with an estimated life expectancy of between 1 month and 1 year, statin therapy for 3 months or more for primary or secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease, recent deterioration in functional sta

SUBMITTER: Kutner JS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4618294 | biostudies-literature | 2015 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature