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Statins for treatment of chronic liver disease

Mohamad Kareem Marrache1, Don C Rockey

  • 1Digestive Disease Research Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.

Current Opinion in Gastroenterology
|March 3, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Statins, used for cardiovascular disease, are increasingly found to be safe and beneficial for patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). Research indicates potential benefits in reducing complications and improving survival in CLD patients.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Pharmacology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine

Background:

  • Statins are lipid-lowering medications traditionally contraindicated in patients with liver disease.
  • Recent evidence challenges the notion of statin harm in chronic liver disease (CLD).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the latest literature on statin mechanisms, safety, and benefits in CLD.
  • To discuss the impact of statins on CLD progression and complications.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent literature on statin use in various forms of CLD.
  • Analysis of studies examining safety profiles and clinical outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Statins demonstrate safety and potential benefits in patients with CLD, including viral hepatitis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
  • Studies show lower rates of decompensation, hepatocellular cancer, infections, and improved survival in CLD patients on statins.
  • Evidence suggests statins may reduce fibrosis, even in advanced stages of liver disease.

Conclusions:

  • Statins appear safe for patients with compensated cirrhosis and may offer antifibrotic effects.
  • Further high-quality research is necessary to fully establish the role of statins in managing CLD.
Abstract

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