Can statins cause diarrhoea
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Can Statins Cause Diarrhea?
Statins and Gastrointestinal Side Effects
Statins, widely prescribed for lowering cholesterol, have been associated with various gastrointestinal side effects, including diarrhea. Several studies have explored this potential link, providing mixed results.
Statins and Diarrhea: Conflicting Evidence
Lower Gastrointestinal Conditions
A comprehensive retrospective cohort study examined the association between statin use and gastrointestinal conditions, including diarrhea. The study found no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of diarrhea between statin users and non-users. Specifically, the odds ratio (OR) for diarrhea was 0.88, indicating a slight decrease in the likelihood of diarrhea among statin users, but this was not deemed significant.
Clostridium difficile-Associated Diarrhea (CDAD)
Another study focused on the relationship between statin use and Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD), a common cause of nosocomial diarrhea. The findings suggested that prior statin use might actually protect against the development of CDAD. In this study, statin users had a lower incidence of CDAD compared to non-users, with an odds ratio of 2.2 for non-statin users developing CDAD.
Mortality and Recurrence in CDI Patients
Further research on Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in veterans indicated that statin use was associated with lower 30-day mortality rates among CDI patients. However, the study did not find a significant difference in the recurrence of CDI between statin users and non-users.
Conclusion
The evidence on whether statins cause diarrhea is mixed. While some studies suggest a protective effect of statins against specific types of diarrhea, such as CDAD, others indicate no significant association with general diarrhea. Therefore, while statins may not be a major cause of diarrhea, individual responses can vary, and further research is warranted to fully understand this relationship.
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