Thoughts on using Statins for Gallstones?

[qw098]

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Thoughts on using Statins for Gallstones?

Not recommended, but I thought it could be useful based on pathophys?

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=statins+and+gallstones

 

[qw098]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=statins and gallstones

no **** sherlock, i was just was curious what others thought about this...

obv with google i dont need to go to school, i should never ask a question, i should never go see a doctor. I should just google everything

 

[DermViser]

Thoughts on using Statins for Gallstones?

Not recommended, but I thought it could be useful based on pathophys?

I'm sorry, are you just commenting, typing outloud your stream of consciousness, or are you actually asking a question of whether statins are used to treat gallstones?

 

[NickNaylor]

How would you know when to start therapy? Is it "worth" putting a patient on a medication to prevent a disease that, all things considered, is relatively benign and for which there is a pretty safe and effective intervention?

 

[Serous Demilune]

Whenever you hear the word gallstone you should reflexively yell out LAP CHOLE. That will net u at least a P on surgery.

 

[qw098]

I'm sorry, are you just commenting, typing outloud your stream of consciousness, or are you actually asking a question of whether statins are used to treat gallstones?

sorry, was a genuine question - just expressing my thoughts as to why I thought what I thought

 

[TooMuchResearch]

How would you know when to start therapy? Is it "worth" putting a patient on a medication to prevent a disease that, all things considered, is relatively benign and for which there is a pretty safe and effective intervention?

Definitely not when the medication has the side effect profile of statins.

 

[qw098]

Definitely not when the medication has the side effect profile of statins.

side effect profile of statins? huh? such as what?

 

[CrimsonKing]

side effect profile of statins? huh? such as what?

Wait till you are on your clerkships. Many people despise the side effects of Statins, and they can actually be quite dangerous. Look up the recent guidelines for statin use and ASCVD risk. There are many reasons, side effects being one of them, why we have changed Statin use guidelines to significantly limit the number of people who are on them.

 

[CherryRedDracul]

In theory, your idea sounds good, and studies have looked into whether statins do have a beneficial effect on the incidence of gallstones. But, so far, the results are mixed and thus there is insufficient evidence to recommend statins for gallstone therapy.

But, let's say statins do work. Would they be useful for gallstone prophylaxis? About 15% of the US population has gallstones, and a majority of them are asymptomatic. Many of them will live their lives without any symptoms of gallstone disease. In this case, the risks of statin usage outweigh the potential benefits in preventing gallstone disease.

 

[Psai]

side effect profile of statins? huh? such as what?

if you're a medical student, you should be able to take initiative to learn these things yourself. otherwise you'll get attendings saying "good question, why don't you look it up and do a 5 minute presentation for us tomorrow?"
from my understanding statins mess with mitochondria, can be hepatotoxic and cause myositis which can lead to rhabdo. myoglobin in your blood destroys your kidneys. when you give drugs you have to do a risk benefit analysis. there's a ton of old people on statins who experience side effects of statins even though there are very few studies that indicate benefit for people over 70 or so

 

[Ismet]

Closing thread. SDN is not for homework/research/academic help.

If you have a question related to Step 1/2, that can be asked in the respective forum.