[Effects of statins on bone mineral density of postmenopausal women from Córdoba, Argentina]

Abstract

New evidence has emerged on pleiotropic properties of Statins (St), that would be potentially beneficial in the treatment of osteoporosis (OP)

Our objective was to study the effect of St on bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional, analytical study, that analyze postmenopausal women with hypercholesterolemia who received treatment with St for at least 6 months, and as a control group (CG), postmenopausal women who did not receive St assisted in two rheumatology services in the city of Córdoba from August 2014 to September 2018.

Results: 202 postmenopausal women received St and 203 constituted the CG. The average age, weight and BMI were 62.54 years, 69.60 kg and 27.13 in the St group vs 58.58 years, 65.70 kg and 26.83 in the control group (p= 0.0001, p= 0.01, p=ns respectively). Lumbar, femoral neck and total hip BMD were statistically higher in patients who received St than in controls (-0.87 vs -1.74 p=0.00, - 1.15 vs 1.56 p= 0.00 and - 0.33 vs - 0.75 p= 0.01). Regarding the time of St treatment, a significant difference was found only in relation to BMD and lumbar spine between the groups of 6 to 12 months and those that received between 12 and 36 months. No relationship was found between BMD and the different types of St received.

Conclusion: Treatment with St could improve BMD in hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women who takes these drugs.