Impact of statin related media coverage on use of statins: interrupted time series analysis with UK primary care data -

Impact of statin related media coverage on use of statins: interrupted time series analysis with UK primary care data
Information type: Other primary research
Source: British Medical Journal
Specialities: Cardiovascular system disorders
Summary
This interrupted time series analysis of 14,416,296 prescriptions found patients already taking statins were more likely to stop taking them for both primary and secondary prevention after the high coverage media period (OR 1.11 (1.05 – 1.18) and 1.12 (1.04-1.21), respectively).
UKMi comment
An editorial notes that the authors of this study assumed causality of negative media coverage, but did not prove it, despite the use of causal language. The media reports were not all negative and did present a variety of opinions. The editorial discusses the limitations of this study.
Related links: Editorial