[Statin treatment as primary prevention in dyslipidaemic patients older than 75 years]

To determine possible differences in the incidence of cardiovascular events between dyslipidaemia patients older than 75 years treated with statins compared to those not treated with them, as primary prevention.

A retrospective cohort study was conducted in patients older than 75 years with dyslipidaemia in a health centre, between 2005 and 2015. The study included 329 patients (182 on treatment with statins and 147 with no lipid-lowering treatment) who met the inclusion criteria (patients older than 75 years, on treatment with statins for at least 3 years, or to have not had any lipid lowering treatment and as primary prevention). The study variables were all those considered as a risk factor in the latest cardiovascular risk guidelines, and the dependent variable was "cardiovascular event". A descriptive and inferential analysis was carried out for quantitative and qualitative variables, as well as a multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression.

The incidence of cardiovascular events in patients without treatment with statins was 15.93% (95% CI 11.15-21.80), and 37.42% (95% CI 29.87-45.45) in those that were taking them (P<.001). The RR was 2.35 (95% CI 1.58-3.48).

There are statistically significant differences, with an increase in the incidence of cardiovascular events in patients taking statins, compared to those who do not. It is currently considered whether real importance is being given to cholesterol levels in this patient group, as well as whether the prescription of statins in patients older than 75 years is suitable in primary prevention.