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Gender differences in side effects and attitudes regarding statin use in the Understanding Statin Use in America and Gaps in Patient Education (USAGE) study
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Gender differences in side effects and attitudes regarding statin use in the Understanding Statin Use in America and Gaps in Patient Education (USAGE) study

Dean G. Karalis, Robert A. Wild, Kevin C. Maki, Ray Gaskins, Terry A. Jacobson, Craig A. Sponseller and Jerome D. Cohen
Journal of clinical lipidology, v 10(4), pp 833-841
Jul 2016
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacl.2016.02.016
PMID: 27578114
Featured in Collection :   UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel

Abstract

Compliance Gender Muscle pains Myopathy Statin intolerance Statins
Statin therapy has been shown to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and the benefits of statin therapy are similar for men and women. Recent studies have shown that women are less likely to be treated with statin therapy, to be on higher doses of more potent statins, and to achieve their lipid goals as compared with men. To analyze results from the Understanding Statin Use in America and Gaps in Patient Education (USAGE) survey and to assess whether women differ from men with regard to reported side effects associated with statin use, clinician and patient interactions, as well as general attitudes and preferences regarding statin use. The study population was derived from participants in the USAGE survey, a self-administered, Internet-based questionnaire. More women reported switching or stopping a statin because of side effects compared with men. New or worsening muscle symptoms were reported in 31% of women compared with 26% of men (P < .01). More women, including high-risk women reported that their doctor did not give them information about their risk for heart disease compared with men. Women were more likely to try 3 or more statins, but less likely to use alternative low-density lipoprotein cholesterol–lowering drugs. Women were more likely to be dissatisfied with their statin, with how their clinician explained their cholesterol treatment, and less adherent to their statin than men. Women are more likely to stop or switch their statin than men, and the main reason for this was new or worsening muscle symptoms. Improved communication between the clinician and the patient about the benefits and risks of statin therapy will improve adherence, lipid goal attainment, and outcomes in women with or at risk for cardiovascular disease. •Women were more likely to stop a statin than men because of muscle symptoms.•Women were less likely than men to be prescribed a nonstatin lipid–lowering drug.•Women were more dissatisfied with their cholesterol treatment than men.•Women were less compliant with their statin than men.

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134 citations in Web of Science
128 citations in Scopus

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
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