Newspaper Page Text
jpt I
THE
STATIN
SCOOP
Cholesterol-lowering
drug's benefits
outweigh possible risks,
our expert reports.
ONE OF MY heart patients recently asked
me if it’s possible for her cholesterol level
to get too low.
She was concerned after hearing about a
recent study that suggested heart patients with lower
cholesterol levels might be at a higher risk for devel
oping cancer. The study conducted by researchers at
Thfts-New England Medical Center and pub
lished in the Journal of the American College
of Cardiology found that for every 100 pa
tients treated with statin drugs to lower their
cholesterol, among those with the lowest cho
lesterol levels there was one more case of can
cer than among those with higher levels.
Studies like this are important because
they make doctors think through the poten-
tial risks vs. benefits of various therapies that we pre
scribe. But before everyone flushes their cholesterol
medicine down the toilet, let’s review the study in a lit
tle greater detail.
The researchers conducted what is called a meta
analysis. This means that they didn’t directly study
the patients themselves; instead, they reviewed data
from many different studies they pooled together (23,
in this ease). One strength of a meta-analysis is that it
increases the number of patients studied, but a weak
ness Is that the data comes from many, sometimes var
ied, sources. As a result, the research itself should be
kept in perspectiv e.
Interpreting studies such as this one can be confus
ing for the average person. We all want to do what’s right,
and just when we think we’ve got a handle on things,
information like this gives cause for pause.
To help get a better idea of the risk, I spoke with
8
USA WEEKEND - Sept. 7-9,2007
IIaCII vll
By DR. TEDD MITCHELL
.^O
- W I
SCARY
STUDY?
DR. TEDD
CLEARS
THE AIR.
Scott Grundy, one of the nation’s leading authorities on
the subject. He is the director of the Center for Human
Nutrition at the University of Texas Southwestern Medi
cal School in Dallas. He has spent his entire medical
career studying the effects of cholesterol and choles
terol treatments.
I asked Grundy for his thoughts on low cholesterol
levels as they pertain to health. Here’s what
he had to say: ‘‘To date, there is no significant
evidence that lowering cholesterol from high
to low with either diet or medicine causes
cancer. Even if there were to be some side
effects, the benefit for preventing heart dis
ease in high-risk patients far outweighs any
adverse effect. Because of this, people being
treated for high cholesterol should be as-
sured that the known benefits far outweigh any theo
retical adverse side effects.”
This is good advice. Although it’s important not to
ignore findings from new research showing poten
tial risks from treatments, it’s also important to
sift through the information to see if other sac- I
tore might explain the findings. For example, in
this study, it’s possible that the increased cancer pg
incidence came about because treatment with the %
statin drugs enabled the patients to live longer.
As with any medicine, people taking statins to *
lower their cholesterol need to follow up with their
doctor to be sure their treatment program is right for
them. As for my heart patient, we discussed the risks
and benefits of her medicine, and, when she left my of
fice, she took her new prescription with her.
Tedd Mitchell, M.D., president and medical director
of Dallas' Cooper Clinic, writes Health Smart every week
Diabetic? Cholesterol drugs
may prevent foot damage
50% of diabetics have a serious
disorder that can lead to amputation.
If you’re diabetic and your feet or hands sting, tin
gle or lack sensation, the cause may be nerve dam
age, called peripheral sensory diabetic neuropathy.
About half of all diabetics have it, says the Ameri
can Diabetes Association. The serious condition can
lead to ulcers, infections and even amputations.
The good news: Research finds that two types
of lipid-lowering drugs—statins and fibrates, both
used to prevent cardiovascular disease can re
duce your risk of developing neuropathy. And if
you already have nerve damage, these medicines
may slow its progress, says lead researcher Timo
thy Davis, M.D., Ph.D., professor of medicine at
the University of Western Australia.
Other diabetic tips from the researcher
• See your doctor Ail diabetics should be
checked at least annually for foot problems. If
you have symptoms, let your doctor know' right
away. Early treatment can help avoid problems.
• Check feet frequently, especially if you sus
pect problems or your circumstances change (Le.,
new pair of shoes). Look for sores, cuts and skin
breaks. Use a mirror if necessary.
• Take care of your feet. Use lotion (but not
between toes), wear well-fitting socks and shoes,
wash with warm water, and dry off thoroughly. Get
therapeutic shoes if needed. Medicare may cover
them if you have foot problems.
• Work out wisely Some ex
ercises strain the feet; stick
\. with activities like cycling,
. A swimming or rowing, ca
X Susan T. Lennon
K-
CHRISTOPHER THOMAS. GETTY