Recent research has revealed that less than 10% of individuals experience side effects from statins, with scientists suggesting that intolerance to these cholesterol-lowering medications is often "over-estimated and over-diagnosed."
The prevalence of side effects is estimated to be between 6 and 10%, yet up to half of patients discontinue or lower their dosage.
This cessation increases the danger of heart and circulatory issues due to harmful fats or lipids, which can cause life-threatening blood clots. Statins have been associated with muscle pain, headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, and digestive problems.
Professor Maciej Banach from the Medical University of Lodz in Poland commented: "These results were not a surprise to me, but they were for many other experts."
He further explained, "They show in most cases statin intolerance is over-estimated and over-diagnosed. They mean around 93% of patients on statin therapy can be treated effectively - with very good tolerability and without any safety issues."
The study, the largest of its kind, analyzed data from over 4 million people globally.
In the UK alone, statins are prescribed to as many as 8 million people to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
Professor Banach emphasized the importance of careful symptom evaluation: "Our findings mean we should evaluate patients' symptoms very carefully."
"Firstly, to see whether symptoms are indeed caused by statins, and secondly, to evaluate whether it might be patients' perceptions that statins are harmful."
"The so-called 'nocebo' or 'drucebo' effect could be responsible for more than 50% of all symptoms - rather than the drug itself."
Statins are among the most frequently prescribed medications.
They have "strong and unambiguous" evidence supporting their role in combating cardiovascular disease.
However, until now, it was unclear what percentage of the population is actually allergic to them.
Previous studies, randomized controlled trials, and databases have provided inconsistent reports, suggesting numbers ranging from five to 50%.
The study, published in the European Heart Journal, found the figure at the lower end of the scale based on data pooled from 176 studies.
The overall prevalence was 9%, which dropped to 7, 6.7, and 6% when using diagnostic criteria from the National Lipid Association, the International Lipid Expert Panel, and the European Atherosclerosis Society.
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Those who were older, female, of Black or Asian race, obese, or suffering from diabetes, under-active thyroid glands, or chronic liver or kidney failure were more likely to be intolerant to statins.
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