Insufficient evidence for statins in age-related macular degeneration

January 01, 0001

Insufficient evidence for statins in age-related macular degeneration

Clinical Question:Insufficient evidence for statins in age-related macular degeneration

Bottom line: In the one completed trial, the analyses of 30 participants showed no statistically significant difference between the simvastatin and the placebo arm in visual acuity at 3 months of treatment or 45 days after the completion of treatment. The lens and retina status were unchanged during and after the treatment period for both groups. In the ongoing trial, the preliminary analyses of 42 participants who completed 12 months' follow-up did not show a statistically significant difference between the simvastatin and the placebo arm in visual acuity, drusen score or visual function (effect estimates and confidence intervals were not available).

Caveat: There were only 2 small studies, one of which is still ongoing.

Context: AMD is a progressive late onset disorder of the macula that affects central vision. Although AMD is the leading cause of blindness in people over 65 years in industrialised countries, its pathogenesis is not clearly understood. Recent epidemiologic, genetic and pathological evidence has shown AMD shares a number of risk factors with atherosclerosis, leading to the hypothesis that statins may exert protective effects in AMD.

Cochrane Systematic Review: Gehlbach P et al. Statins for age-related macular degeneration. Cochrane Reviews 2009, Issue 3. Article No. CD006927. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006927.pub2. This review contains 2 studies involving 72 participants.

Cochrane PEARLS Practical Evidence About Real Life Situations. No. 212, January 2010.
Written by Brian R McAvoy. Published by the Cochrane Primary Care Group

Category: F. Eye. Keywords: macular degeneration, prevention, elderly, statins
Synopsis edited by Dr Linda French, Toledo, Ohio. Posted on Global Family Doctor 13 April 2010

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Pearls are an independent product of the Cochrane primary care group and are meant for educational use and not to guide clinical care.