According to a study published in The Lancet, statin therapy effectively reduces major vascular and coronary events irrespective of age. Researchers conducted a meta-analysis of individual participant data from 27 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and detailed summary data from one trial in The Cholesterol Treatment Trialists’(CTT) Collaboration database, including 186,854 patients, of which 14,483 were aged >75 years. All participants were subdivided into 6 age groups (55 years or younger, 56–60 years, 61–65 years, 66–70 years, 71–75 years, and >75 years).

During 4.9 years of follow-up, overall statin therapy or a more intensive statin regimen produced a 21% proportional reduction in major vascular events in all age groups Overall, statin therapy showed 24% proportional reduction in major coronary events per 1·0 mmol/L reduction in LDL cholesterol and there were smaller proportional risk reductions in major coronary events with increasing age. Statin therapy was associated with 25% proportional reduction in the risk for coronary revascularisation per 1·0 mmol/L reduction in LDL cholesterol, but no significant difference was seen in the risk across all age groups.

Statin therapy produces significant reductions in major vascular events irrespective of age, but there is less direct evidence of benefit among patients older than 75 years who do not already have evidence of occlusive vascular disease.

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