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Published on: May 9, 2019

Effect of atorvastatin on bone mineral density in patients with acute coronary syndrome

J L Pérez-Castrillón1, L Abad, G Vega

  • 1Department of Medicine, Rio Hortega University Hospital, Valladolid, Spain. castrv@terra.es

European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences
|June 26, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Atorvastatin improves bone mineral density in patients with acute ischemic heart disease, particularly in males with sufficient vitamin D levels. This cholesterol-lowering drug also boosts vitamin D levels, reducing insufficiency.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Bone Disease

Background:

  • Acute ischemic heart disease (AIHD) patients often have comorbidities affecting bone health.
  • Statins, like atorvastatin, are primarily used for cholesterol management but may have pleiotropic effects.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of atorvastatin on bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with AIHD.
  • To assess atorvastatin's effect on vitamin D levels and bone metabolism markers.

Main Methods:

  • Eighty-three patients with acute coronary syndrome received low-dose (20 mg) or high-dose (40-80 mg) atorvastatin.
  • Bone mineral density (spine and hip) and serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, calcium, phosphorus, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D were measured at baseline and after one year.

Main Results:

  • Atorvastatin significantly increased vitamin D levels by 33% (p = 0.007), reducing vitamin D insufficiency.
  • Spine bone mineral density increased by 1.31% (p = 0.02), with significance noted in males and patients with baseline vitamin D > 30 nmol/l.

Conclusions:

  • Atorvastatin demonstrates a beneficial effect on bone metabolism in AIHD patients, primarily by increasing BMD.
  • The positive effect on bone mineral density is more pronounced in males and contingent upon adequate baseline vitamin D levels (> 30 nmol/l).
Abstract

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