Key result
Statin withdrawal linked to a ~106% increase in CRP levels by the second day.
Why the study?
Does withdrawal of statin therapy increase C-reactive protein levels in patients with hyperlipidemia?
Cohort (n=20)
Does withdrawal of statin therapy increase C-reactive protein levels in patients with hyperlipidemia?
Abrupt withdrawal of statin therapy leads to a rapid rebound increase in C-reactive protein within 2 days, which may contribute to the increased incidence of cardiac events observed after statin cessation.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Statin withdrawal was associated with early CRP rebound independent of lipids; hypothesis-generating for post-cessation events and requires randomized confirmation.
BACKGROUND: C-reactive protein is considered a risk factor for coronary artery disease. In addition to its lipid-lowering properties, statin decreases the level of C-reactive protein. Abrupt cessation of statin therapy during treatment could increase the incidence of cardiac events in patients with atherosclerotic heart disease. The changes of C-reactive protein after withdrawal of statin therapy are still unknown. METHODS: Twenty patients with hyperlipidemia received statin (atorvastatin, 10 mg/day) therapy for 3 months. The levels of lipid profiles and C-reactive protein were assessed before receiving the statin therapy, immediately after 3 months of therapy, and on the 3 consecutive days after withdrawal of statin treatment. RESULTS: After 3 months of statin therapy, the total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-chol), and C-reactive protein were significantly reduced (264.94 +/- 16.23 vs. 183.44 +/- 16.34 mg/dl, 183.17 +/- 34.56 vs. 122.00 +/- 17.66 mg/dl, and 2,309.00 +/- 437.85 vs. 1,257.95 +/- 207.99 ng/ml, respectively). The level of C-reactive protein increased on the second day after withdrawal of statin therapy (2,590.14 +/- 1,045.05 vs. 1,257.95 +/- 207.99 ng/ml); however, the total cholesterol and LDL-chol did not increase during the 3-day period after withdrawal of statin therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in the level of C-reactive protein after withdrawal of statin therapy may be a contributing factor to the increased incidence of cardiac events in patients who have abruptly stopped statin therapy.
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Lee et al. (2004) conducted a cohort in Hyperlipidemia (n=20). Withdrawal of statin (atorvastatin) vs. Immediately after 3 months of statin therapy (before withdrawal) was evaluated on Level of C-reactive protein on the second day after withdrawal. Withdrawal of statin therapy in patients with hyperlipidemia increased C-reactive protein levels on the second day (2,590.14 vs 1,257.95 ng/ml).
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