Statin-induced lupus: a case/non-case study in a nationwide pharmacovigilance database

Lupus. 2012 Jul;21(8):885-9. doi: 10.1177/0961203312436861. Epub 2012 Feb 14.

Abstract

Statin use has been advocated to prevent atheromatous complications in lupus patients and may be widely prescribed for these patients in future. Statin-induced lupus has also been described, though the risk is not confirmed. The goal of this study was to detect a safety signal regarding statin-induced lupus. We conducted a case/non-case study in the French PharmacoVigilance Database from January 2000 until December 2010. Cases were drug-induced lupus reports. Non-cases were all reports of other adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Exposure to statins at the time of ADR was screened in each report. Among 235,147 ADR reports, 232 were drug-induced lupus. Exposure to statins was present in 17 (7.3%) cases and in 10,601 (4.7%) non-cases. Reporting odds ratio (ROR) for statin exposure associated with lupus erythematosus was 1.67 (95% confidence interval 1.02-2.74). The ROR was > 1 for each statin but fluvastatin. This pharmacoepidemiological study suggests a link between statin exposure and lupus induction. The benefit-to-risk ratio of statin therapy in lupus patients should be evaluated through randomized controlled trials.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alopecia / chemically induced
  • Antibodies, Antinuclear / blood
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Confidence Intervals
  • DNA / immunology
  • Databases, Factual
  • Drug Eruptions / etiology
  • Female
  • France / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / blood
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / chemically induced*
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / epidemiology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Odds Ratio
  • Pharmacovigilance*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Antinuclear
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • DNA