Older adults without cardiovascular disease had similar two-year outcomes after stopping or continuing statins in the STREAM trial, but longer follow-up showed a cardiovascular risk signal, according to results released November 7 by the American Heart Association.
The study involved 1,880 adults aged 70 or older with at least two chronic conditions at 24 centers in Switzerland, France and the Netherlands. People with existing cardiovascular disease or a previous cardiovascular event were excluded.
Researchers assigned 938 participants to stop statins and 942 to continue. At about two years, the groups did not differ significantly in heart attack, stroke or death. Quality of life, muscle pain, falls and muscle wasting also did not differ.
During extended follow-up of up to four years, heart attack, stroke or death occurred in 12.7% who stopped treatment and 9.2% who continued. Researchers said that finding prevented a general recommendation to stop statins.
About 14% crossed between treatment groups. The association reported simultaneous publication in the New England Journal of Medicine. These findings concern a defined study population, not individual medication instructions.