Statin associated hepatic adverse effects: a retrospective review from a regional hospital in Sultanate of Oman

Abstract EN

Objectives : This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, pattern and predisposing factors for hepatic adverse effects with statins in a regional hospital in Sultanate of Oman.

Methods : A retrospective review of the patient files in Department of Medicine during the year 2011 was done to evaluate any hepatic dysfunction possibly related to statins among the patients.

For each case of suspected statin induced hepatic effect, additional details on temporal relationship, pattern of presentation, management, final outcome and any contributing factors were obtained.

Difference in the occurrence of hepatic effects based on the patient demographics and drug characteristics was additionally evaluated.

Results: A total of 927 patients meeting the inclusion criteria were included for the study.

Mean age of the evaluated patients was 63.1 ± 11.37 and median duration of use of statin in months was 22 (IQR, 43.25).

In 40 (4 %) of the 927 patients, there was presence of a hepatic effect considered to be statin related and only in 12 (1%) patients a significant transaminase rise ( > 3 times) was observed.

Median duration of use of statin among those patients who developed suspected statin induced hepatic effects and those who did not was 45 (IQR,52) and 21 (IQR, 43) months, respectively and the difference observed was statistically significant.

A significant difference in the prevalence of hepatic effects was observed only based on the duration of statin use.