Statins Could Reduce Pressure Ulcers in Stroke Patients

Statin use may be associated with a reduced risk of pressure ulcers in stroke patients, according to the results of a recent study.

The researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study that utilized data from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance database. Included were new-onset stroke patients, of which 49,919 participants had used statins, and 49,919 participants had not used statins. Participants were identified between 2000 and 2004 through the use of a propensity-score matching procedure. The occurrence of pressure ulcers was measured through the end of 2009.

Overall, the researchers observed a significant association between statin use and a reduced risk of poststroke pressure ulcers (hazard ratio [HR] 0.74, 95% CI 0.71–0.78). Specifically, the association was significant in men (HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.68–0.78), women (HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.71–0.80), and people aged more than 50 years.

Use of lovastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin, atorvastatin, fluvastatin, and simvastatin were all associated with poststroke pressure ulcers. A dose-dependent relationship was observed with the frequency of pressure ulcers decreasing with increasing quantities of statins used (from 1 to 3 or more prescriptions).  

“We raised the possibility that use of statins was associated with reduced risk of pressure ulcers in stroke patients. However, the potential beneficial effect associated with statins requires further validation using randomized clinical trials,” the researchers concluded.

—Leigh Precopio

Reference:

Huang YC, Chang CC, Yeh CC, et al. The protective effect of statins against pressure ulcers in stroke patients: a propensity-score matched study based on a real-world database. Atherosclerosis. 2021; 317: 22-28. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2020.11.023