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Pre-existing statin use and recurrence in relation to hematoma architecture of chronic subdural hematomas - A
Hussam Hamou1, Hani Ridwan2, Anna Mausberg1
1Department of Neurosurgery, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany.
Insights
Pre-existing statin use does not independently predict recurrence of chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) after surgery. Hematoma architecture is a stronger predictor of recurrence risk in cSDH patients.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Cardiology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) presents a growing clinical challenge with significant postoperative recurrence rates.
- While statins like atorvastatin are effective for conservative treatment, their impact on surgical outcomes for cSDH remains under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between pre-existing statin therapy and the risk of recurrence in patients undergoing surgical treatment for cSDH.
- To evaluate the influence of hematoma architecture on computed tomography (CT) as a predictor of recurrence.
- To determine if statin use modifies the effect of hematoma architecture on recurrence risk.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 564 surgically treated cSDH patients (2015-2023).
- Data collected on pre-existing statin use, demographics, comorbidities, and medications.
- Hematoma architecture classified (homogeneous, organized, sedimented, subacute); recurrence defined as reoperation.
- Multivariable logistic regression and propensity score matching (1:1) employed for analysis.
Main Results:
- Statin use was documented in 26.6% of patients; recurrence occurred in 30.1%.
- Initial unadjusted analysis suggested a protective effect of statins, but this became non-significant after adjusting for confounders (OR 0.664, p=0.109).
- Hematoma architecture was a dominant predictor, with organized hematomas showing a 70% lower recurrence risk (OR 0.303, p < 0.001); no interaction with statin use was found.
Conclusions:
- Pre-existing statin therapy is not an independent predictor of postoperative cSDH recurrence when accounting for confounders and hematoma characteristics.
- Hematoma architecture is a significant factor influencing recurrence risk.
- Further prospective studies on post-surgical statin initiation are warranted.
Introduction:
Chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) affects increasing patient numbers annually, with postoperative recurrence rates of 5-33%. While atorvastatin shows efficacy as primary conservative treatment, the prognostic value of pre-existing statin use in surgical candidates remains unclear.
Research Question:
This study examined associations between pre-existing statin therapy, hematoma architecture on computed tomography, and postoperative recurrence risk.
Material And Methods:
This retrospective cohort study analyzed 564 consecutive patients surgically treated for cSDH at a tertiary center (2015-2023). Pre-existing statin use was documented and hematoma architecture classified into homogeneous, organized, sedimented, and subacute subtypes. The primary outcome was recurrence requiring reoperation. Multivariable logistic regression with hierarchical adjustment evaluated associations between statin use and recurrence, adjusting for demographics, comorbidities, medications, and hematoma characteristics. Interaction analyses tested whether statin effects varied by architecture. Propensity score matching (1:1, n = 252) reduced confounding.
Results:
Statin use was documented in 150 patients (26.6%). Recurrence occurred in 170 patients (30.1%): 32.9% in non-users versus 22.7% in users. Unadjusted analysis suggested protection (OR 0.599, p = 0.021), but this attenuated after adjusting for cardiovascular comorbidities (OR 0.649, p = 0.076) and became non-significant after full adjustment (OR 0.664, p = 0.109). Propensity matching corroborated findings (OR 0.736, p = 0.269). Hematoma architecture was the dominant predictor: organized hematomas showed 70% lower recurrence risk (OR 0.303, p < 0.001). No differential statin effects across subtypes were observed (p = 0.668).
Discussion And Conclusion:
Pre-existing statin therapy shows no independent association with postoperative recurrence after adjusting for confounders and hematoma architecture. Prospective investigation of post-surgical statin initiation is warranted.
Trial Registration:
The study was registered with the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00025280).
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