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Prescribing Statins to Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Real Cardiovascular Benefits Outweigh Theoretical Hepatotoxic Risk

  1. P. Riley1,
  2. M. Al Bakir1,
  3. J. O’Donohue1,
  4. M. Crook2

Article first published online: 23 JUN 2009

DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-5922.2009.00088.x

Issue

Cardiovascular Therapeutics

Cardiovascular Therapeutics

Volume 27, Issue 3, pages 216–220, Fall 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Riley, P., Al Bakir, M., O’Donohue, J. and Crook, M. (2009), Prescribing Statins to Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Real Cardiovascular Benefits Outweigh Theoretical Hepatotoxic Risk. Cardiovascular Therapeutics, 27: 216–220. doi: 10.1111/j.1755-5922.2009.00088.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Gastroenterology, University Hospital Lewisham, London, UK

  2. 2

    Department of Biochemistry, University Hospital Lewisham, London, UK

*Correspondence Paul Riley, Department of Biochemistry, University Hospital Lewisham, London, UK. Tel.: 0208-333-3000; Fax: 0208-333-3333; E-mail: paul.riley@kch.nhs.uk

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 4 AUG 2009
  2. Article first published online: 23 JUN 2009

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Keywords:

  • Statins;
  • NAFLD;
  • Metabolic syndrome;
  • Cardiovascular risk;
  • Hepatotoxicity

Statins are among the most widely prescribed drugs in the western world and play a significant role in reducing cardiovascular risk. However, concern regarding their hepatic safety profile has meant that patients with concurrent liver pathology are often denied such benefits. In this review we consider the evidence for and against the prescription of statins to patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, a group typically associated with high cardiovascular risk. Contrary to current opinion, we find that there is considerable evidence for and little evidence against the prescription of statins to this population and suggest that the guidelines advising against their use in these patients should be reviewed.

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