More and more adults are suffering from liver disease and associated long-term organ damage. It is estimated that about 2 million people die each year as a result of these diseases. But it is not only the high number of deaths that is alarming. The costs to health systems worldwide are also immense. Therefore, more pressure is being exerted to find a solution to the problem. The answer could be statins. The drugs are available almost everywhere and are inexpensive. A recent study has now investigated whether the fat-lowering drugs are also hepatoprotective.
The study analysed and compared the outcomes of over 1.7 million people in terms of liver disease, liver-related death, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The data came both from people who took statins and from those who did not take the drugs.
It became clear that statin users had a significantly lower risk of developing or dying from liver disease. But that was not all: people who took the lipid-lowering drugs also had a 42 percent lower risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma. Men and diabetics in particular benefited from the medication.
The results clearly show that taking statins is associated with better outcomes in terms of liver health. However, the study authors also make it clear that the effects depend on how long and in what dosage the drugs are taken. Further studies are therefore needed to further refine the results and write appropriate recommendations.
Statins clearly show hepatoprotective properties. Whether and to what extent the drugs are suitable for widespread prophylaxis should be investigated in further studies.