Abstract

GONCALVES, Tânia. Statins: an evidence-based review of the effects on cognitive function. Rev Port Med Geral Fam [online]. 2020, vol.36, n.4, pp.342-349. ISSN 2182-5173.  https://doi.org/10.32385/rpmgf.v36i4.12374.

Objective: Statin consumption has increased over the years and associated cognitive dysfunction has been described. It is known that the human brain contains about 25% of the cholesterol present in the human body. The aim of this review is to evaluate the cognitive side effects of statins in adults taking this class of anti-dyslipidemic drugs. Data sources: National Guideline Clearinghouse, NICE Guidelines Finder, Canadian Medical Association Practice Guidelines Infobase, The Cochrane Library, Bandolier, DARE, Clinical Evidence e PubMed. Methods: A survey of articles published between January 2013 and January 2018, in Portuguese and English, was conducted, using the MeSH terms Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors and Cognitive Dysfunction. The Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT) scale was used to assign levels of evidence and recommendation strengths. Results: A total of 58 articles were found, of which eight met the inclusion and exclusion criteria: two systematic reviews, four reviews, one observational study, and one opinion article. After reading these studies, contradictory results were found: some showed side effects of statins on cognition, others showed no difference when compared with placebo and others even suggested a protective effect on dementia. Several studies did not have statistical power to assess the risks. Conclusion: Controlled prospective studies are needed to evaluate the effects of statins on shortand long-term cognitive function. The evidence does not support the change of the actual guidelines but argues that the complaints should not be devalued.

Keywords : Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors; Cognitive dysfunction.

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