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A recent study led by clinical professors Michelle Fravel and Michael Ernst from the University of Iowa’s College of Pharmacy has concluded that statins, a class of cholesterol-lowering medications, do not affect kidney function in older adults. The research, published on December 18, 2024, in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, examined the impact of statin use on two critical kidney function indicators: estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, which measures protein-to-waste levels in urine.
The study, titled Effects of Statins on Kidney Function in Older Adults, suggests that statins do not cause harm to kidney function, regardless of whether individuals have chronic kidney disease (CKD). The research team advocates that concerns about kidney damage should not limit the decision to use statins in older adults for other health reasons.
Using data from a prior trial studying the effects of daily low-dose aspirin in over 18,000 adults from the United States and Australia, the research team found that statin use neither improved kidney function—contrary to some earlier studies—nor resulted in any adverse effects. Among the participants, 20% had chronic kidney disease, with a median age of 76 for those with CKD and 74 for those without.
Statins, commonly prescribed to lower the risk of heart disease, are of particular importance for older adults, who are at an increased risk of cardiovascular events and kidney function decline. However, as the study points out, they are also more vulnerable to the side effects of medications. The results of this study provide reassurance, showing no negative association between statin use and kidney function.
While the drugs did not show the potential for improving kidney function, as some previous studies had suggested, the research team emphasizes that the absence of harm is equally significant. “The evidence demonstrating no negative association between statin use and kidney function provides an equally important message to one of kidney benefit,” the authors wrote.
This study is a valuable addition to the ongoing research into the safety and efficacy of statins in older populations. Fravel, who served as the corresponding author of the study, was joined by several collaborators, including Robyn Woods, Suzanne Orchard, Kevan Polkinghorne, Rory Wolfe, and others.
For more information, you can read the full study: Effects of Statins on Kidney Function in Older Adults in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (DOI: 10.1111/jgs.19319).
Disclaimer: The findings presented in this article are based on the research published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society and should not be considered medical advice. For personalized health recommendations, it is important to consult a healthcare provider.
