Effectiveness of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors on inflammation and metabolic markers in the US-Mexico border Hispanic...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Pharmacology
• Public Health

Background:

• HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) manage dyslipidemia and reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.
• High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a marker for low-grade inflammation linked to atherosclerotic CVD.
• Effectiveness of statins on inflammation and metabolic markers in Hispanic populations remains unclear despite known disparities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of statin use on inflammation and metabolic markers in Hispanic patients.
• To assess the association between statins and hs-CRP, LDL-C, total cholesterol, and hepatic steatosis in this demographic.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of 150 adult patients from a family medicine clinic (2021).
• Compared outcomes between patients who received statins and those who did not.
• Utilized adjusted regression analyses and propensity-score matching to estimate effect size and associations.

Main Results:

• Statin users showed significantly lower median hs-CRP, mean LDL-C, and total cholesterol compared to non-users.
• Propensity-score matched analysis confirmed lower hs-CRP, LDL-C, and total cholesterol with statin use.
• Statin use was associated with a significant reduction in hepatic steatosis (aRR=0.25, 95% CI: 0.08-0.78).

Conclusions:

• HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors may effectively reduce inflammation and improve lipid profiles in Hispanic patients with dyslipidemia and hypertension.
• Findings suggest statins could play a role in mitigating CVD risk and health disparities among US Hispanic minorities.
• Further research is warranted to explore these anti-inflammatory effects in diverse populations.