Statin Use and Mortality in Rheumatoid Arthritis: a General Population-based Cohort Study

Overview

Journal Ann Rheum Dis

Specialty Rheumatology

Date 2015 Aug 7

PMID 26245753

Citations 23

Authors

Sara R Schoenfeld

Leo Lu

Sharan K Rai

John D Seeger

Yuqing Zhang

Hyon K Choi

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Dual lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory properties of statins may lead to survival benefits in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, data on this topic are limited, and the role of statins in RA remains unclear.

Objectives: To examine the association of statin use with overall mortality among patients with RA in a general population context.

Methods: We conducted an incident user cohort study with time-stratified propensity score matching using a UK general population database. The study population included individuals aged ≥20 years who had a diagnosis of RA and had used at least one disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) between January 2000 and December 2012. To closely account for potential confounders, we compared propensity score matched cohorts of statin initiators and comparators (non-initiators) within 1-year cohort accrual blocks.

Results: 432 deaths occurred during follow-up (mean 4.51 years) of the 2943 statin initiators for an incidence rate of 32.6/1000 person-years (PY), while the 513 deaths among 2943 matched comparators resulted in an incidence rate of 40.6/1000 PY. Baseline characteristics were well-balanced across the two groups. Statin initiation was associated with a 21% lower risk of all-cause mortality (HR=0.79, 95% CI 0.68 to 0.91). When we defined RA by its diagnosis code alone (not requiring DMARD use), the corresponding HR was 0.81 (95% CI 0.74 to 0.90).

Conclusions: Statin initiation is associated with a lower risk of mortality among patients with RA. The magnitude of association is similar to that seen in previous randomised trials among the general population.

Citing Articles

Cardiovascular Risk Factor and Atherosclerosis in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA).

Kattamuri L, Duggal S, Aparece J, Sairam S Curr Cardiol Rep. 2025; 27(1):31.

PMID: 39831939 DOI: 10.1007/s11886-025-02198-8.

Epidemiology and Risk Factors for Rheumatoid Arthritis Development.

Venetsanopoulou A, Alamanos Y, Voulgari P, Drosos A Mediterr J Rheumatol. 2024; 34(4):404-413.

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Identification of subgroups within a Japanese older adult population for whom statin therapy is effective in reducing mortality.

Funaki D, Kaneda H, Miyakoshi A, Saito K, Sasaki H, Nakatani E PLoS One. 2023; 18(12):e0295052.

PMID: 38039298 PMC: 10691679. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295052.

Low utilization of statins in patients with dermatomyositis/polymyositis and hyperlipidemia: a multicenter USA-based study (2013-2023).

Fares J, Summer R, Loizidis G Clin Rheumatol. 2023; 43(1):325-338.

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Association between statin use and the risk of gout in patients with hyperlipidemia: A population-based cohort study.

Lin G, Lin H, Lin H, Keller J, Wang L Front Pharmacol. 2023; 14:1096999.

PMID: 36873987 PMC: 9975165. DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1096999.

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