Neurology® Journal Club: Duration of Current Statin Use and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Risk

This article critically appraises the study by Nakken et al., "Duration of Current Statin Use and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Risk." Previous observational studies and Mendelian randomization studies examining statin use and ALS risk have reported mixed results. Millions of adults receive statins for cardiovascular prevention and may be concerned when neuromuscular symptoms suggestive of ALS appear. Using linked nationwide health survey and prescription data, this Norwegian population-based cohort study applied time-dependent models to evaluate statin use and subsequent ALS risk. Short-term statin use was associated with increased ALS risk, whereas long-term use was associated with lower risk. The authors interpreted this as evidence of reverse causation rather than a causal or protective effect of statins. Key strengths of the study include its large population-based design, the use of a negative control, and time-dependent Cox modeling. However, limitations inherent to observational study designs and potential residual confounding should be considered. In this article, we summarize the findings, highlight key statistical concepts, and discuss the study's major strengths and limitations.