Both high and moderate-intensity statins show a protective effect against fibrosis deterioration in MASLD.
In a cohort study issued in “BMJ Open Gastroenterology”, statins (particularly at moderate and high doses) were linked to a decreased likelihood of advanced fibrosis in primary care patients suffering from metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Researchers explored whether statin prescriptions could help prevent the progression of liver fibrosis MASLD. In this retrospective study, 1,238 MASLD-affected patients with initially low or indeterminate fibrosis risk along with a Fibrosis-4 Index (FIB-4) score of <2.67 were selected.
These patients were monitored over time, starting from their initial FIB-4 score, to see if they would progress to a higher risk level for fibrosis (FIB-4 score of 2.67 or greater) or until the study ended. Of the patients, 47% were prescribed statins, and 18% progressed to high-risk fibrosis. In the Cox models, statin use was linked to a reduced hazard of progressing to a high-risk FIB-4 score (≥2.67). Specifically, overall statin use was related to a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.60 (95% CI 0.45–0.80).
When considering statin intensity, both moderate (HR 0.60; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.42–0.84) and high intensity (HR 0.61; 95% CI 0.42–0.88) statins were connected with a lower chance of high-risk FIB-4 progression. Hence, statins, especially at moderate to high doses, appeared to help slow the progression of liver fibrosis in patients with MASLD, highlighting their potential benefit in managing this condition.
BMJ Open Gastroenterology
Statin prescriptions and progression of advanced fibrosis risk in primary care patients with MASLD
Andrew D Schreiner et al.
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