Bone turnover markers in statin users: a population-based analysis from the Camargo Cohort Study

Area of Science:

• Biomedical research
• Pharmacology
• Bone metabolism

Background:

• Statins are widely prescribed cholesterol-lowering drugs.
• Bone turnover markers (BTM) reflect bone formation and resorption rates.
• The impact of statins on BTM requires further population-based investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between statin use and serum BTM in a large population cohort.
• To explore how diabetes status, statin type, dose, and treatment duration modify this association.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study of 2431 participants from the Camargo Cohort.
• Serum BTM (PINP and CTX) levels were compared between statin and non-statin users.
• Analyses were adjusted for covariates and stratified by diabetes status, statin properties, and treatment duration.

Main Results:

• Statin users (21%) exhibited significantly lower serum PINP and CTX levels than non-users.
• The reduction in BTM was more pronounced in diabetic women and in men for CTX.
• Lipophilic statins and longer treatment durations (>3 years) were associated with lower BTM.

Conclusions:

• Statin use is linked to decreased BTM in a general population, modulated by diabetes.
• Lipophilic statins, especially with prolonged use, demonstrate a more significant reduction in BTM.
• Findings suggest potential implications for bone health in statin users.