Effects of statins on serum inflammatory markers: the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2004

To evaluate the effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) treatment on serum inflammatory markers using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 1999-2004).

A total of 9,128 individuals aged 40 and older participated in the NHANES. The inflammatory markers studied were white blood cell counts (WBC), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) and ferritin. Other covariables were: age, gender, race/ethnicity, body mass index, prescription or nonprescription medication use within the previous 30 days (statins, anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics). Four analytic groups for drug use were defined: Statin users; AI/Antibiotic users (use of either anti-inflammatory or antibiotic drugs); Combination group (use of both Statins and anti-inflammatory or antibiotic drugs), and a Non-use group (taking none of the listed drugs). The mean CRP level was significantly lower in the Statin use group than the Non-use group (0.3 mg/dL, 95%CI: 0.3-0.3 and 0.4 mg/dL, 95%CI: 0.4-0.5). In multivariable regression modeling, the Statin use group had significantly lower predicted mean WBC (Beta Coeff: -0.2, p < 0.05) and CRP (Beta Coeff: -0.1, p < 0.01) values than the Non-use group.

Treatment with statins was significantly associated with decreased WBC and CRP levels in this large population-based sample.