Effects of Statins hemorrhagic stroke incidence among hospitalized elderly patients

Statins are one of the most effective drugs in lowering blood cholesterol levels and reducing mortality due to high cholesterol levels. Several studies investigated the relationship between cholesterol and cerebral hemorrhage, but they had conflicting results. In the present study the effect of Statins effect on hemorrhagic stroke incidence was investigated among hospitalized elderly patients.

In this retrospective study, we analyzed the information of 244 stroke patients who were admitted to Farabi Hospital in Kermanshah based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Among them, 184 patients had ischemic stroke and 60 patients had hemorrhagic stroke. Information about age, gender, age of starting statin use, dosage, and other important factors was recorded in a checklist. Data were compared using SPSS version 24, independent chi-square and t- tests.

Among the 60 patients who suffered from hemorrhagic stroke, 18 of them were taking atorvastatin. The effect of age of starting atorvastatin, daily dose, and duration of use on stroke incidence, stroke location, stroke type, bleeding location, and small vessel changes were measured. According to the results of the study, patients who took a higher dose of atorvastatin showed less changes in small cerebral vessels (P=0.003). On the other hand, other factors were not statistically relevant.

Taking atorvastatin has no effect on hemorrhagic stroke incidence, however, it is suggested to be related with less changes in small cerebral vessels.