Hepatitis, rhabdomyolysis and multi-organ failure resulting from statin use

This paper was published in the British Medical Journal Case Reports 2009;2009. pii: bcr07.2008.0412

Study title and authors:
Hepatitis, rhabdomyolysis and multi-organ failure resulting from statin use.

Rajaram M.
St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals NHS Trust, Medicine-Gastro, Whiston Hospital, Warrington Prescot, L35 5DR, UK.

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21686823

This paper reports the case of of a woman who developed hepatitis, rhabdomyolysis and multi-organ failure resulting from the use of statins.

(i) A 77-year-old female patient was admitted to hospital with malaise, anorexia and generally feeling unwell for a week.
(ii) She was taking atorvastatin 80 mg daily.
(iii) The dose of atorvastatin was increased from 40 mg to 80 mg daily approximately six months before admission.
(iv) Examination revealed she was jaundiced.
(v) Laboratory tests revealed the following abnormalities (normal levels in brackets):
Creatine kinase: 523 iu/l (25–200)
Lactate dehydrogenase: 1241 iu/l (240–525)
Total bilirubin: 284 μmol/l (2–22)
Alanine transaminase: 2314 iu/l (11–55)
γ glutamyl transferase: 132 iu/l (5–50)
Aspartate transaminase: 1269 iu/l (12–42)
Alkaline phosphatase: 438 iu/l (40–125)
Urea: 15.9 mmol/l (3.6–7.3)
Creatinine: 290μmol/l (45–110)
(vi) A diagnosis of hepatitis related to statin use with accompanying kidney failure was made.
(vii) The statin was stopped and her liver biochemistry improved.
(viii) However on the fourth day after admission, her kidney function deteriorated.
(ix) Examination revealed excess fluid around the lungs and abdominal areas.
(x) The patient was transferred to the intensive care unit and required haemofiltration. (Hemofiltration is a kidney replacement therapy similar to hemodialysis).
(xi) Despite improvement in her kidney function, the creatine kinase levels continued to rise and peaked at 107178 iu/l.
(xii) Two weeks after admission to the hospital, the patient died of multi-organ failure.

Rajaram concludes: "The cause of hepatitis, rhabdomyolysis, and acute renal failure in this patient was the increase in dose of atorvastatin and subsequent elevation of serum atorvastatin concentration. We suggest that the elevation of atorvastatin concentrations resulted in skeletal muscle damage and rhabdomyolysis, as indicated by the elevation of creatine kinase and subsequent deposition of myoglobin in the kidneys, causing acute renal failure as indicated by the elevation of urea and creatinine".

Statin use associated with a 59% increased risk of kidney failure

This study was published in the European Journal of Internal Medicine 2016 Feb 23. pii: S0953-6205(16)00059-5

 

Study title and authors:

Association of statin use and the risk of end-stage renal disease: A nationwide Asian population-based case-control study.

Lin SY, Lin CL, Hsu WH, Lin CC, Chang CT, Kao CH.

Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Science, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taiwan; Division of Nephrology and Kidney Institute, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26920930

End-stage renal disease (ESRD), also called kidney failure, is the last stage of chronic kidney disease. When your kidneys fail, it means they have stopped working well enough for you to survive without dialysis or a kidney transplant.

This study investigated the association of statins with end-stage renal disease. The study included 11,486 patients with end-stage renal disease who were compared with the same number of people from the general population.

The study found:
(a) Statin users had a 59% increased risk of developing end-stage renal disease compared to non-users.
(b) The risk of end-stage renal disease increased with higher accumulative dosage of statins.

Lin concluded: "This population-based case-control study showed that statin use might be associated with increased ESRD risks."

Links to other studies:
Statin use is associated with a 30-36% increased incidence of acute and chronic kidney disease
Statins associated with 30% increased risk of death in kidney transplant patients
Statins increase the risk of diabetes in kidney transplant patients

Atorvastatin use associated with acute pancreatitis

This study was published in Medicine (Baltimore) 2016 Feb;95(7):e2545

Study title and authors:
Atorvastatin Use Associated With Acute Pancreatitis: A Case-Control Study in Taiwan.

Lai SW, Lin CL, Liao KF.
College of Medicine (S-WL, C-LL); Department of Family Medicine (S-WL); Management Office for Health Data (C-LL), China Medical University Hospital, Taichung;

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26886597

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between atorvastatin use and acute pancreatitis. The study consisted of 5,810 cases aged 20 to 84 years with a first-time diagnosis of acute pancreatitis and 5,733 randomly selected controls without acute pancreatitis.

The study found that current users of atorvastatin had a 67% increased risk of acute pancreatitis compared with subjects with never use of atorvastatin.

Lai concluded: "Current use of atorvastatin is associated with the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis."

Links to other studies:
Statins increase the risk of acute pancreatitis by 44%
Use of statins associated with a 25% increased risk of pancreatitis
Pancreatitis induced by statins



Stroke victims taking statins have increased risk of death and a 140% increased risk of infection

This study was published in the European Journal of Neurology 2008 Jan;15(1):82-90

Study title and authors:
Simvastatin in the acute phase of ischemic stroke: a safety and efficacy pilot trial.

Montaner J, Chacón P, Krupinski J, Rubio F, Millán M, Molina CA, Hereu P, Quintana M, Alvarez-Sabín J.
Neurovascular Research Laboratory, Neurovascular Unit, Hospital Universitario Vall d'Hebron, Barcelona, Spain. 31862jmv@comb.es

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18070096

This study was a double-blind, randomised, multicentre clinical trial to study the effects of simvastatin in patients the first 90 days after a cortical stroke. The study included 60 patients with cortical strokes (a cortical stroke occurs when the blood supply to the outside, or cortex, of the brain is reduced or blocked, which results in brain damage) who were given either simvastatin or placebo at three to12 hours from symptom onset.

The study found:
(a) More patients taking simvastatin died compared to patients taking placebo.
(b) Patients taking simvastatin had a 140% increased risk of infection compared to patients taking placebo.

Links to other studies:
Patients taking statins after a stroke have a 68% increased risk of suffering another stroke
Statins increase the incidence of liver damage
Statins associated with increased bleeding in the brain in patients with intracerebral haemorrhage

What I Eat

People often ask me what I eat.  I've been reluctant to share, because it feels egocentric and I'm a private person by nature.  I also don't want people to view my diet as a universal prescription for others.  But in the end, as someone who shares my opinions about nutrition, it's only fair that I answer the question.  So here we go.

In my food choices, I try to strike a balance between nutrition, cost, time efficiency, animal welfare, pleasure, and environmental impact.  I'm the chef of my household of two, and I cook two meals a day, almost every day, typically from single ingredients.  I prefer organic, but I don't insist on it.

Eggs from my hens

My diet changes seasonally because I grow much of my own food.  This started out with vegetables, but recently has expanded to staple foods such as potatoes, flour corn, and winter squash.  I also have a small flock of laying hens that turn table scraps, bugs, grass, and chicken feed into delicious eggs.

The primary guiding principle of my diet is to eat somewhere between a "Paleolithic"-style diet and a traditional agricultural/horticultural diet.  I think of it as a broad ancestral diet.  Because it's partially inspired by agricultural/horticultural diets, starch is the main calorie source.

My meals are organized around three food groups: a protein, a starch, and vegetables/fruit.  If any of those three are missing, the meal doesn't feel complete.  I'll start with those categories and move on from there.

Read more »

Higher saturated fat consumption decreases the risk of death from cardiovascular diseases

This study was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2010 Oct;92(4):759-65

 

Study title and authors:

Dietary intake of saturated fatty acids and mortality from cardiovascular disease in Japanese: the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study for Evaluation of Cancer Risk (JACC) Study.

Yamagishi K, Iso H, Yatsuya H, Tanabe N, Date C, Kikuchi S, Yamamoto A, Inaba Y, Tamakoshi A

Department of Public Health Medicine, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, and Institute of Community Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20685950

This study investigated the association of saturated fat intake and the risk of death cardiovascular diseases. The study included 58,453 participants, aged 40 to 79 years, who were followed for up to 14.1 years.

The study found:
(a) Those who consumed the most saturated fat had a 31% decreased risk of death from all strokes compared to those who consumed the least saturated fat.
(b) Those who consumed the most saturated fat had a 48% decreased risk of death from intraparenchymal haemorrhage compared to those who consumed the least saturated fat. (Intraparenchymal haemorrhage is bleeding within the brain tissue).
(c) Those who consumed the most saturated fat had a 9% decreased risk of death from subarachnoid hemorrhage compared to those who consumed the least saturated fat. (Subarachnoid hemorrhage is bleeding into the two membranes that surround the brain).
(d) Those who consumed the most saturated fat had a 42% decreased risk of death from ischemic stroke compared to those who consumed the least saturated fat. (Ischemic stroke occurs when an artery to the brain is blocked).
(e) Those who consumed the most saturated fat had a 7% decreased risk of death from heart disease compared to those who consumed the least saturated fat.
(f) Those who consumed the most saturated fat had a 1% decreased risk of death from heart failure compared to those who consumed the least saturated fat.
(g) Those who consumed the most saturated fat had an 18% decreased risk of death from all cardiovascular diseases compared to those who consumed the least saturated fat. 

Links to other studies:
Middle-aged men and women who consume the most saturated fat live longer and have a reduced risk of dying from cardiovascular diseases
Saturated fat consumption is associated with a reduced risk of stroke
High saturated fat diets reduce the risk of intraparenchymal haemorrhage



Is the "Obesity Paradox" an Illusion?

Over the last two decades, multiple independent research groups have come to the surprising conclusion that people with obesity (or, more commonly, overweight) might actually be healthier than lean people in certain ways.  This finding is called the "obesity paradox".  Yet recent research using more rigorous methods is suggesting that the paradox is an illusion-- and excess body fat may be even more harmful to health than we thought.

Introduction.  What is the obesity paradox, and why does it matter?

Read more »

Statins associated with increased bone loss in early postmenopausal women

This study was published in Osteoporosis International 2002 Jul;13(7):537-41

Study title and authors:
Relation of statin use and bone loss: a prospective population-based cohort study in early postmenopausal women.

Sirola J, Sirola J, Honkanen R, Kröger H, Jurvelin JS, Mäenpää P, Saarikoski S.
University of Kuopio, Research Institute of Public Health, Finland.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12111013

This study assessed the effects of statin use on the change in bone mineral density in early postmenopausal women. The study measured annual change in spine and thigh bone mineral density in 620 women aged 53-64 years who were divided into four groups:
Group 1: 55 who had continuous use of statins
Group 2: 63 who had occasional statin use.
Group 3: 142 non-users of statins who had "high" cholesterol.
Group 4: 360 non-users of statins who did not have "high" cholesterol.

The study found:
(a) In all groups spine bone mineral density increased whereas thigh bone mineral density decreased.
(b) Both groups of non-users had higher increases in spine bone mineral density compared to the groups of statin users. (High cholesterol non-users had highest increase).
(c) Both groups of non-users had smaller decreases in thigh bone mineral density compared to the groups of statin users. (High cholesterol non-users had smallest decrease).
(d) The non-users of statins who had "high" cholesterol had a 79% higher increase in spine bone mineral density compared to the continuous statin users.
(e) The non-users of statins who had "high" cholesterol had a 34% smaller decrease in thigh bone mineral density compared to the continuous statin users.

The results from the study suggest statin use is associated with increased bone loss in early postmenopausal women.

An interesting finding noted by the researchers is the potential for "high" cholesterol itself to be protective against osteoporosis and fractures, as the smallest annual bone loss and greatest gain of lumbar bone were seen in those with "high" cholesterol.

Links to other studies:
Statins and the risk of bone fracture in postmenopausal women
Statin use increases the risk of osteoarthritis and joint pain by 26%
Statin use linked to musculoskeletal diseases, joint pain and injuries



Professor says it's a serious concern that statins make people less likely to exercise

This study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Internal Medicine 2014 Jun 9

Study title and authors:
Statins and Physical Activity in Older Men: The Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study.

Lee DS, Markwardt S, Goeres L, Lee CG, Eckstrom E, Williams C, Fu R, Orwoll E, Cawthon PM, Stefanick ML, Mackey D, Bauer DC, Nielson CM.
Department of Pharmacy Practice, Oregon State University/Oregon Health and Science University College of Pharmacy, Portland.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24911216

The objective of the study was to determine the effects of statins on physical activity. The study lasted for nine years and included 4,137 men (989 men (24%) were statin users and 3148 (76%) were nonusers) aged 65 years and older. The Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) was used to measure physical activity. (A higher PASE score indicates a higher level of activity).

The study found:
(a) At the start of the study statin users had a 5.8 points lower PASE score than non users.
(b) PASE score declined by 2.5 points per year for non users.
(c) PASE score declined by 2.8 points per year for prevalent users of statins.
(d) PASE score declined by 3.4 points per year for new users of statins.
(e) Statin users engaged in 5.4 fewer minutes in moderate physical activity per day than non users.
(f) Statin users engaged in 0.6 fewer minutes in vigorous physical activity per day than non users.
(g) Statin users engaged in 7.6 more minutes in sedentary behaviour per day than non users.

Lead author of the study, David Lee, an assistant professor in the Orgeon State University and the Oregon Health and Science College of Pharmacy, said: "Physical activity in older adults helps to maintain a proper weight, prevent cardiovascular disease and helps to maintain physical strength and function. We're trying to find ways to get older adults to exercise more, not less. It's a fairly serious concern if use of statins is doing something that makes people less likely to exercise".

Links to other studies:
Statins block the ability of exercise to improve fitness levels
Statins, fibrates and beta blockers increase fatigue during moderate intensity exercise
Rhabdomyolysis occurring under statins after intense physical activity in a marathon runner



Doctor concludes LDL cholesterol may be required to maintain or support memory function

This study was published in the Journal of Alzheimers Disease 2013;34(1):273-9

Study title and authors:
Very old adults with better memory function have higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and lower triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratios: KOCOA Project.

Katsumata Y, Todoriki H, Higashiuesato Y, Yasura S, Ohya Y, Willcox DC, Dodge HH.
Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA. katsumat@ohsu.edu

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23207484

This study investigated the association between cholesterol levels and memory function. The study included 193 participants, aged 80 and older.

Regarding LDL cholesterol levels, the study found those with better memory function had significantly higher LDL cholesterol levels.

Dr Katsumata concluded: "LDL cholesterol, especially large, buoyant LDL may be required to maintain or support memory function among older people."

Links to other studies:
High cholesterol levels boost memory function
Low cholesterol levels associated with slow mental processing in students
High cholesterol levels are associated with higher intelligence

Testing the Insulin Model: A Response to Dr. Ludwig

Dr. David Ludwig, MD, recently published a response to my critique of the carbohydrate-insulin-obesity hypothesis.  This is good because he defends the idea in more detail than I've encountered in other written works.  In fact, his piece is the most scientifically persuasive defense of the idea I can recall.

Before we dig in, I want to emphasize that this is science, not tribal warfare.  The goal is to arrive at the best answer, rather than to win an argument.  I'm proceeding in good faith, based on my belief that Ludwig and I are both serious people who care about science and human health, and I hope my audience will do the same.  That said, let's get to it.

Read more »

What happens to your immune system when you take statins?

This study was published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology 2010 Mar;87(3):433-42

 

Study title and authors:

Opposite effects of simvastatin on the bactericidal and inflammatory response of macrophages to opsonized S. aureus.

Benati D, Ferro M, Savino MT, Ulivieri C, Schiavo E, Nuccitelli A, Pasini FL, Baldari CT.

Department of Evolutionary Biology, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19892847

 

Phagocytes are white blood cells that protect the body by ingesting harmful toxins, bacteria and dead and dying cells. Cytokines (Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFa) and Cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), are molecules that trigger and sustain inflammation.

 

Staphylococcus aureus is a bacterium that is frequently found in the human respiratory tract and on the skin. It is a common cause of skin infections (e.g. boils), respiratory disease (e.g. sinusitis), and food poisoning.

 

This study investigated the effects of simvastatin on the immune system. The study used human phagocytes that were pretreated with carrier or simvastatin, alone or in association with mevalonate, and subsequently incubated with Staphylococcus aureus.

 

The study found:

(a) Phagocyte activity was blocked by simvastatin. This effect by simvastatin was reversed by mevalonate.

(b) TNFa and COX-2 activity was enhanced by simvastatin compared with carrier-treated controls. This effect by simvastatin was reversed by mevalonate.

(c) Mevalonate is inhibited by statins.

 

The results of the study show that statins impair the ability of phagocytes to kill dangerous pathogens, but enhance the production of cytokines that cause excessive inflammation.

 

Benati concludes: "By enhancing TNFa and COX-2 production while impairing the mechanisms responsible for bacterial killing in macrophages exposed to opsonized bacteria, simvastatin may contribute to establish a state of undesirable, “gratuitous” inflammation in chronically treated patients".

Statins associated with 30% increased risk of death in kidney transplant patients

This paper was published in the Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews 2009 Apr 15;(2):CD005019

 

Study title and authors:

HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) for kidney transplant recipients.

Navaneethan SD, Perkovic V, Johnson DW, Nigwekar SU, Craig JC, Strippoli GF.

Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Glickman Urological and Kidney institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. navanes@ccf.org

 

This paper can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19370615

This paper assessed the effects of statin therapy on kidney transplant recipients. The paper analysed the results of 14 studies with 3,045 participants that compared death rates of patients.

The analysis found that kidney transplant patients that received statins had a 30% increased risk of death compared to patients who did not take statins. 

Doctor says statin use could be contributing to rising rates of cataract surgery

This study was published in Ophthalmic Epidemiology 2016 Jan 14:1-6

Study title and authors:
Statin Use and Incident Cataract Surgery: A Case-Control Study.

Erie JC, Pueringer MR, Brue SM, Chamberlain AM, Hodge DO.
Department of Ophthalmology , Mayo Clinic , Rochester , MN , USA.

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26766069

The purpose of the study was to determine the association between statin use and cataract surgery. The study included 6.024 participants aged 50 years and older who had first-eye cataract surgery, who were matched with control participants who had never had cataract surgery.

The study found:
(a) Cataract surgery was significantly associated with 29% increased odds of statin use in all participants
(b) Cataract surgery was significantly associated with 34% increased odds of statin use in women.
(c) Cataract surgery was significantly associated with 17% increased odds of statin use in men.  

Erie concluded: "Incident cataract surgery was associated with increased odds of statin use, and underscores the possibility that increasing statin use could be contributing to rising rates of cataract surgery."

Links to other studies:
Statin users have an increased risk of cataract
Statin use is significantly associated with cataract requiring surgical intervention
Adverse Effects of Statins

Analysis of 65 studies reveals low cholesterol levels are significantly associated with increased suicide risk

This study was published in the Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience 2016 Jan;41(1):56-69

Study title and authors:
Serum lipid levels and suicidality: a meta-analysis of 65 epidemiological studies.

Wu S, Ding Y, Wu F, Xie G, Hou J, Mao P.
Research Center for Clinical Medicine, the 302nd Hospital of PLA, Beijing, China

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26505144

This study was a systematic review of the scientific literature and meta-analysis to determine the association between cholesterol levels and suicide. The analysis included 65 studies with a total of 510,392 participants. The participants were categorized as follows:
(i) patients with various psychiatric diseases (e.g., depression, schizophrenia, personality disorder, drug and alcohol addictions) with suicidality, who were defined as suicidal patients;
(ii) patients with various psychiatric diseases without suicidality, who were defined as nonsuicidal patients;
(iii) healthy participants without any psychiatric disease and suicidality, who were defined as healthy controls.

The study found:
(a) Compared with the nonsuicidal patients, suicidal patients had significantly lower cholesterol levels, LDL cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels.  
(b) Compared with the healthy controls, suicidal patients had significantly lower cholesterol levels, HDL cholesterol levels and LDL cholesterol levels.
(c) Compared with those with the highest cholesterol levels, participants with lower cholesterol levels had a 112% higher risk of suicidality, including a 123% higher risk of suicide attempt and an 85% higher risk of suicide completion.

Links to other studies:
Suicide attempters have low cholesterol levels
Low cholesterol is associated with major depressive disorder and death from suicide
Low cholesterol is significantly associated with schizophrenia

Some of the many uses of cholesterol

This fact sheet regarding cholesterol was created by Justin Smith of Statin Nation.

Justin says: "If we google 'cholesterol' of course we'll find thousands of images portraying it as "artery-clogging", but what about the real functions of cholesterol?

I have created this one page info sheet / poster in an attempt to re-educate about the many things cholesterol is actually used for within the body.

Please send this A4 sized image to anyone you think is afraid of their cholesterol.

Suggestions:
-Print and use as a poster
-Email / hand out to friends and colleagues
-Fix to the front of your statin medication cupboard"

JPEG and PDF versions of the poster can be accessed at: http://www.statinnation.net/blog/2015/12/20/cholesterol-in-the-human-body

 

Justin has produced two DVD's that expose the $29billion cholesterol-lowering industry and explains how more than 40 million people have ended up taking a medication that is almost certainly causing them more harm than good.

Always Hungry? It's Probably Not Your Insulin.

David Ludwig, MD, recently published a new book titled Always Hungry? Conquer cravings, retrain your fat cells, and lose weight permanently.  The book is getting widespread media coverage.  Ludwig is a professor of pediatrics at the Harvard Medical School and a professor of nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health.  He's a pediatric endocrinologist, but his primary focus is research, particularly the impact of nutrition on hunger, calorie expenditure, and body weight.  Although I sometimes disagree with how he interprets evidence, he has made significant and useful contributions to the scientific literature in these areas, and I also support his efforts to find policy solutions to curb the intake of sweetened beverages and other junk foods.  In the grand scheme of things, he's an ally in the fight to improve the American diet.

Ludwig has written several high-profile op-ed pieces in recent years, both in the popular press and in scientific journals (1, 2).  He argues that our understanding of eating behavior and obesity may be all wrong, and that our focus on calories may be leading us away from the true cause of obesity: hormonal imbalance.  And the primary culprit is insulin.  You might recognize this idea, because it's similar to the one that science journalist Gary Taubes developed in his book Good Calories, Bad Calories.

According to this view, overeating is irrelevant.  We gain fat because our insulin levels are too high, leading our fat tissue to take up too much fat, and other tissues to take up too much glucose, causing our blood energy levels to drop and resulting in fat gain, hunger, and fatigue.  The ultimate cause of the problem is the rapidly-digesting carbohydrate and sugar we eat.  This idea is encapsulated by Ludwig's quote, "Overeating doesn't make you fat.  The process of getting fat makes you overeat" (3).

Here are eleven facts that may make you question this line of reasoning:
Read more »

Statins associated with a 21% increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancer

This study was published in the British Journal of Cancer 2016 Jan 7

 

Study title and authors:

Relation of statin use with non-melanoma skin cancer: prospective results from the Women's Health Initiative.

Wang A, Stefanick ML, Kapphahn K, Hedlin H, Desai M, Manson JA, Strickler H, Martin L, Wactawski-Wende J, Simon M, Tang JY.

Department of Dermatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 450 Broadway Street, Pavilion B, 4th Floor MC 5338, Redwood City, CA 94063, USA.

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26742009

The study investigated the relationship between statin use and non-melanoma skin cancer. The study included 118,357 women, aged 50-79 years, who were followed for 10.5 years.

The study found that women who used statins had a 21% increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancer compared to women who did not use statins.

Links to other studies:
Long term statin use increases the risk of basal cell carcinoma by 30%
Statin users have a 14% increased risk of melanoma
Statin users have a 25% increased risk of developing Merkel cell carcinoma

How Much do You Know About Your Own Brain?

We tend to believe we're aware of what's happening in our own brains, and also in conscious control of our behavior.  But a growing body of neuroscience and psychology research demonstrates that most of what happens inside the brain-- including the processes that cause us to select and execute behaviors-- is beyond our conscious awareness.  This has important implications for our eating behavior, body weight, and health, as I explore in my upcoming book The Hungry Brain.

Let me give you a straightforward example that illustrates how little of our brain's activity we're aware of.  It focuses on information processing by the visual system, which is one of the best-understood systems of the brain.  I drew the basic facts of this example from a recent talk by the accomplished neuroscience researcher Marcus Raichle, who studies patterns of activity in the human brain.

Read more »

Statin use is associated with a 30-36% increased incidence of acute and chronic kidney disease

This study was published in the American Journal of Cardiology December 01, 2015

Study title and authors:
Statin Use and the Risk of Kidney Disease With Long-Term Follow-Up (8.4-Year Study)
Tushar Acharya, MD, Jian Huang, MD, Steven Tringali, DO, Christopher R. Frei, PharmD, MSc, Eric M. Mortensen, MD, MSc, Ishak A. Mansi, MD
This study can be accessed at: http://www.ajconline.org/article/S0002-9149(15)02315-2/abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the association of statin use with incidence of acute and chronic kidney diseases. The study lasted for 8.4 years and included 43,438 individuals, (average age 56 years): 13,626 statin users and 29,812 nonusers. In the study the researchers matched 6,342 statin users with 6,342 nonusers.

The study found:
(a) Statin users had a 30% increased risk of acute kidney injury compared to non-users.
(b) Statin users had a 36% increased risk of chronic kidney disease compared to non-users.
(c) Statin users had a 35% increased risk of nephritis/nephrosis/renal sclerosis compared to non-users.

In a separate analysis, the researchers also matched 3,351 "healthy" statin users with 3,351 nonusers. At the start of the study these individuals were all free of diabetes, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, and conditions that might limit life expectancy or physical activity.

(d) This separate analysis found that these initially "healthy" statin users had a 53% increased risk of developing chronic kidney disease compared to non-users.

Acharya concluded: "Statin use is associated with increased incidence of acute and chronic kidney disease."

Links to other studies:
Statins increase the risk of diabetes in kidney transplant patients
NSAIDs and statins increase the risk of renal cell carcinoma
The unintended adverse effects of statins in men and women