Lipid-lowering treatment to the end? A review of observational studies and RCTs on cholesterol and mortality in 80+-year olds

Age Ageing. 2010 Nov;39(6):674-80. doi: 10.1093/ageing/afq129. Epub 2010 Oct 14.

Abstract

People aged 80 or older are the fastest growing population in high-income countries. One of the most common causes of death among the elderly is the cardiovascular disease (CVD). Lipid-lowering treatment is common, e.g. one-third of 75-84-year-old Swedes are treated with statins. The assumption that hypercholesterolaemia is a risk factor at the highest ages seems to be based on extrapolation from younger adults. A review of observational studies shows a trend where all-cause mortality was highest when total cholesterol (TC) was lowest ('a reverse J-shaped' association between TC and all-cause mortality). Low TC (<5.5 mmol/l) is associated with the highest mortality rate in 80+-year olds. No clear optimal level of TC was identified. A review of the few randomised controlled trials including 80+-year olds did not provide evidence of an effect of lipid-lowering treatment on total mortality in 80+-year-old people. There is not sufficient data to recommend anything regarding initiation or continuation of lipid-lowering treatment for the population aged 80+, with known CVD, and it is even possible that statins may increase all-cause mortality in this group of elderly individuals without CVD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / mortality*
  • Humans
  • Hypercholesterolemia / drug therapy*
  • Hypercholesterolemia / mortality*
  • Hypolipidemic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic*
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Hypolipidemic Agents