Mixed message on statins

The study followed 40 asthma patients for a year – 20 who had been newly prescribed statins and 20 who were not taking statins. Other than asthma or high cholesterol, all were healthy. Every three months, the participants were quizzed on their asthma symptoms and medication use, and had their lung function tested.

After a year, patients taking the statins reported they had to use their inhalers 72 per cent more often than before the study, compared with a nine per cent increase in inhaler use in the non-statin group. The statin group’s lung function results were also 35 per cent poorer, compared with 14 per cent for the non-statin group. Other symptoms were also reported as being worse in the statin group.

The researchers admit the result is something of a surprise, as some previous studies have shown that statins have properties that may help in asthma, but they say their findings may warrant more careful cholesterol medication in asthma patients.