Research paperComparative risk of lipophilic and hydrophilic statins on incident depression: A retrospective cohort study
Section snippets
Methods
The University of Florida Institutional Review Board exempted this study from review.
Patient characteristics
There were 155,885 hydrophilic and 339,297 lipophilic statin initiators that met the cohort membership criteria (Appendix Table 1), out of which a 1:1 propensity score matched cohort of 299,298 statin initiators was created. Table 1 presents the baseline characteristics for select variables for lipophilic versus hydrophilic statins prior to, and after propensity score matching (Appendix Table 3 presents the data for all variables). Prior to propensity score matching, the baseline
Discussion
It has been previously postulated that based on their pharmacodynamic profile, lipophilic statins may increase the risk of depression compared to their hydrophilic counterparts; however, this association has not been studied. This study found that patients initiating lipophilic statins did not have a statistically significant increase in the risk for developing depression – and suicidal ideations – compared to hydrophilic statin initiators. This finding was consistent across subgroups of
Conflict of interest
The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
Author contributions
Dr Dave had full access to all the data in the study and takes responsibility for the integrity of the data and the accuracy of the data analysis. Study concept and design: All authors. Acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data: All authors. Drafting of the manuscript: Dave. Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: All authors. Statistical analysis: Dave. Administrative, technical, or material support: Hartzema. Study supervision: Hartzema.
Funding
None
Funding source
None
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