Prevalence and Factors Associated With Statin Use Among Patients With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in the TARGET-NASH Study
US Study (n=2,214) found amongst patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease with at least 1 indication for a statin, only 55.8% were actually on treatment. Females, those with fewer CV risk factors and more advanced liver disease were less likely to have statin treatment.
Source:
Clinical Gastroenterology and hepatology
SPS commentary:
Authors note patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and statins are frequently indicated in these patients. Despite this, statins are under prescribed among patients with liver disease due to concerns about hepatotoxicity.
NICE guidance recommends that people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease who are taking statins should keep taking them, and prescribers should only consider stopping statins if liver enzyme levels double within 3 months of starting statins, including in people with abnormal baseline liver blood results.