Authors' objectives: The objective was to determine the effectiveness of statins in avoiding downstream adverse clinical outcomes associated with dyslipidemia, specifically major coronary events and stroke.

Authors' recommendations: Three meta-analyses examining the effectiveness of statins for primary prevention were identified. Due to superior methodological quality and stringent criteria on exclusion of participants with a previous history of CVD, the meta-analysis by Taylor et al (10) was selected as the primary review to answer the research question, while the other 2 provided additional context. Statins significantly reduced the risk of major coronary events (i.e., combined fatal and nonfatal coronary events) in individuals without a previous history of CVD, compared to placebo. (GRADE quality of evidence: moderate) The risk of stroke (fatal and nonfatal) was significantly reduced in individuals without a previous history of CVD treated with statins, compared to placebo. (GRADE quality of evidence: low) The direction and magnitude of reduction in both major coronary events and stroke events was consistent across all 3 meta-analyses, despite differences in the definition of primary prevention populations.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2013

URL for published report: http://www.hqontario.ca/Portals/0/Documents/eds/rapid-reviews/statins-lipids-130221-en.pdf

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Canada

Organisation Name: Health Quality Ontario

Contact Address: Evidence Development and Standards, Health Quality Ontario, 130 Bloor Street West, 10th floor, Toronto, Ontario Canada M5S 1N5

Contact Name: EDSinfo@hqontario.ca

Contact Email: OH-HQO_hta-reg@ontariohealth.ca

Copyright: Health Quality Ontario