Fri, Nov-25-16, 07:58
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Plan: P:E/DDF
Stats: 225/150/169
BF:45%/28%/25%
Progress: 134%
Location: NC
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The bitter fight continues with yet another Lancet article.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/201...ed-critics-say/
Lancet study on statins was 'fundamentally flawed', critics say
Quote:
A major Lancet study which backed the safety of statins was “fundamentally flawed” and underestimated the side-effects of the heart drugs, a group of medics has said.
The research published in September concluded the drugs help prevent around 80,000 major cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks or strokes, every year.
Scientists said the drugs did far more harm than good, with too many patients having been put off taking them because of needless fears about side-effects.
It followed a long debate over the merits of the cholesterol-busting drugs, which are taken by around eight million Britons.
"While this research confirms the greater benefit of more intensive treatment, decisions on dosage require conversations between patients and their doctors
Professor Jeremy Pearson, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation"
But now a group of doctors has attacked the Lancet study. Writing in The Prescriber, a group of medics led by cardiologist Dr Aseem Malhotra criticised the way the Lancet research was carried out.
They said some of the data behind the trials had not been published, while some claims about the impact of the drugs on cholesterol were based on forecasts.
Lead author Dr Malhotra said “Decades of misinformation on cholesterol and the gross exaggeration of statin benefits with downplaying of side effects has likely led to the overmedication of millions of people across the world.”
“The lack of transparency in the prescription of statins is just one symptom of a broken system of healthcare where finance based medicine has trumped independent evidence and what is most important for patients.”
His views were backed by Harvard statin expert Dr John Abramson, Sir Richard Thompson, former president of the Royal College of Physicians, and Professor Sherif Sultan, president of the International Society for Vascular Surgery.
Statins
The new study suggests millions of patients could benefit from high doses of statins.
Statins reduce high levels of blood cholesterol, which is known to contribute to the stiffening and narrowing of arteries.
But they also trigger side-effects, including muscle pain, memory loss, depression, sexual difficulties and depression.
The Lancet study, conducted by Oxford University and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, analysed 20 years' worth of data.
It found just two per cent of patients suffer any side effects.
On Thursday night, leading heart doctors criticised the stance taken by Dr Malhotra, a long-time critic of statins.
Prof Sir Nilesh Samani, medical director at the British Heart Foundation, said: “This paper combines data and opinion that risks confusing patients about the benefits and safety of their statins.
More in link above.
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This article from the Telegraph, similar in other U.K. Press. |