Influence of statins treatment on survival in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Statins are increasingly recognized as causing muscle damage and, more rarely, peripheral neuropathy. A preliminary report that there are more cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) among people treated with statins caused considerable concern. We considered the possibility that statins could affect survival in patients already diagnosed as having amyotropic lateral sclerosis who were taking statins for dyslipidemia.

METHODS: We reviewed the clinical charts of 459 patients with ALS followed-up in our clinic between 1997 and 2007. Retrieved data included age, all administered medications, form of ALS at onset and survival. We compared the survival rates of patients taking any statins with that of patients not taking statins, while adjusting for other factors which influence disease progression, such as age, gender and ALS form at onset.

RESULTS: 72 patients were on statins for dyslipidemia at disease onset. The doses ranged from 10-60 mg daily and varied throughout the disease course. As expected, the patients on statins were older than the non-treated ones (65.7+/-9 versus 57.5+/-13 years, respectively). After correcting for age, gender and disease form, there was no significant difference in survival between the groups.

CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that statins treatment for dyslipidemia in patients with ALS does not carry any survival risks.