Statin users have a 26% increased risk of liver function test abnormalities

This study was published in Pharmacotherapy 2004 May;24(5):584-91

 

Study title and authors:

Statins and liver toxicity: a meta-analysis.

de Denus S, Spinler SA, Miller K, Peterson AM.

Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, PA 19103-4495, USA.

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15162892

Liver function tests measure various chemicals in the blood made by the liver. An abnormal result indicates the presence of liver disease.

The objective of the study was to assess the risk of liver function test abnormalities with the use of statins. The study was a meta-analysis of 13 randomized, placebo-controlled trials of statins including 49,275 patients.

The study found that statin users had a 26% increased risk of liver function test abnormalities compared to non users.