Statin administration and risk of cholecystectomy: a population-based case-control study

Gallstone disease is common in Western countries. Statins reduce biliary cholesterol secretion and have anti-inflammatory effects, suggesting that they may play a role in reducing the incidence of surgically treated gallstone disease.

To examine a potential association between statin administration and risk of cholecystectomy.

We conducted a population-based case-control study of surgically treated gallstone disease using the database of Clalit Health Services (CHS). The study population consisted of all individuals age 40 - 85 enrolled with the central region of CHS during the period 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2006. We identified patients who underwent cholecystectomy between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2006 (n = 1465). Controls (n = 5860) were individually matched on year of birth and sex in a 4:1 ratio. Multivariable conditional logistic regression models to compute the odds ratio of cholecystectomy associated with statin therapy were constructed to control for patients' clinical and socio-demographic characteristics.

Statin use with at least 80% adherence to treatment was associated with about 30% reduction in the risk of cholecystectomy (adjusted odds ratio 0.69; 95% CI 0.57 - 0.84).

The results of our large population-based study suggest that the use of statins reduces the risk of surgery for gallstone disease.