Who use statins and why? A cross-sectional analysis of statin utilisation in the context of cardiovascular risk and socio-demographic factors

Background: There have been significant increases in the utilisation of statins for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) over the last decades. Our aim was to describe the prevalence of statin utilisation by people aged over 50 and the factors associated with the likelihood of using a statin. Methods: Cross-sectional analysis of cardiovascular risk and socio-demographic factors associated with statin utlisation from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (n=5,618). The prevalence of statin utlisation was calculated according to age, gender and diagnoses. The likelihood of statin utlisation was estimated using multivariate logistic regression models. Results: 30% of the sample was taking statins. Statin utlisation increased with age. 57% of men and 73% of women taking statins did not have established CVD. Polypharmacy was significantly associated with statin utlisation (OR 3.53; CI 2.84-4.39), as were living with a spouse or partner and frequency of GP visits. There was no association with other socio-demographic or CVD risk factors. Conclusion: Statin utlisation was highest among those with established CVD but 65% of all users did not have CVD. It may be appropriate to consider whether widespread use of statins in some low-risk categories represents the best use of scarce resources.