Authors
Jean S Kutner, Patrick J Blatchford, Donald H Taylor, Christine S Ritchie, Janet H Bull, Diane L Fairclough, Laura C Hanson, Thomas W LeBlanc, Greg P Samsa, Steven Wolf, Noreen M Aziz, David C Currow, Betty Ferrell, Nina Wagner-Johnston, S Yousuf Zafar, James F Cleary, Sandesh Dev, Patricia S Goode, Arif H Kamal, Cordt Kassner, Elizabeth A Kvale, Janelle G McCallum, Adeboye B Ogunseitan, Steven Z Pantilat, Russell K Portenoy, Maryjo Prince-Paul, Jeff A Sloan, Keith M Swetz, Charles F Von Gunten, Amy P Abernethy
Publication date
2015/5/1
Journal
JAMA internal medicine
Volume
175
Issue
5
Pages
691-700
Publisher
American Medical Association
Description
Importance For patients with limited prognosis, some medication risks may outweigh the benefits, particularly when benefits take years to accrue; statins are one example. Data are lacking regarding the risks and benefits of discontinuing statin therapy for patients with limited life expectancy. Objective To evaluate the safety, clinical, and cost impact of discontinuing statin medications for patients in the palliative care setting. Design, Setting, and Participants This was a multicenter, parallel-group, unblinded, pragmatic clinical trial. Eligibility included adults with an estimated life expectancy of between 1 month and 1 year, statin therapy for 3 months or more for primary or secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease, recent deterioration in functional status, and no recent active cardiovascular disease. Participants were randomized to either discontinue or continue statin therapy and were monitored monthly for up to 1 …
Scholar articles
JS Kutner, PJ Blatchford, DH Taylor, CS Ritchie… - JAMA internal medicine, 2015