Statin Use Linked to Back Disorders

Statin users may be at an increased risk of back disorders, including spondylosis, intervertebral disc disorders, herniated discs, and spinal stenosis, than nonusers, according to the results of a recent study.

There is currently no consensus on whether statin increase or decrease the risk of musculoskeletal conditions. In order to examine this association, researchers conducted a review of data from patients enrolled in the health insurance system of the US Department of Defense from 2003 to 2012.
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The participants were categorized as either statin users (having received statins for the first time and continued using them for 120 days or more) and nonusers. Frequent statin users were not included. Propensity score of 115 baseline characteristics were used to match 6728 statin users with 6728 nonusers.

Overall, statin use was associated with increased likelihood of back disorders (odds ratio 1.27, number needed to harm: 17), with similar results seen in secondary analyses.

The researchers concluded that this was the first study to report increased risk of back disorders among statin users compared with nonusers in a population with equal access to healthcare. A potential limitation of the study was that all participants had military experience, and therefore the results may not be generalizable to the general population.

—Michael Potts

Reference:

Makris UE, Alvarez CA, Wei W, et al. Association of statin use with risk of back disorder diagnoses [published online May 1, 2017]. JAMA Int Med. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2017.1068.