Patient Characteristics and General Practitioners' Advice to Stop Statins in Oldest-Old Patients: a Survey Study Across 30 Countries.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Statins are widely used to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD). With advancing age, the risks of statins might outweigh the potential benefits. It is unclear which factors influence general practitioners' (GPs) advice to stop statins in oldest-old patients.

Objective

To investigate the influence of a history of CVD, statin-related side effects, frailty and short life expectancy, on GPs' advice to stop statins in oldest-old patients.

Design

We invited GPs to participate in this case-based survey. GPs were presented with 8 case vignettes describing patients > 80 years using a statin, and asked whether they would advise stopping statin treatment.

Main measures

Cases varied in history of CVD, statin-related side effects and frailty, with and without sho

SUBMITTER: van der Ploeg MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6711940 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature