Statins in patients with chronic kidney disease: new evidence

Minerva Urol Nefrol. 2013 Sep;65(3):217-23.

Abstract

Dyslipidemia represents a common metabolic alteration in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Alterations can be different depending on the stage of the disease and the extent of proteinuria. Despite the high cardiovascular risk in patients with renal impairment, only a small percentage of patients receive adequate cholesterol-lowering therapy. The use of statins, inhibitors of the endogenous synthesis of cholesterol in patients with CKD, represents an efficient therapeutic instrument for reducing cardiovascular risk, at least in the early stage of the disease. Such evidence is currently lacking in dialysis, that is a setting where cardiovascular mortality is not consistently due to classical atherosclerosis. In addition to their efficacy, statins are proved as safe drugs with a high tolerability profile in CKD. In the case of intolerant patients, a new therapeutic perspective is represented by ezetimibe, inhibitor of intestinal absorption of cholesterol, whose effectiveness and tolerability allow its use throughout all stages of the renal disease.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Dyslipidemias / drug therapy*
  • Dyslipidemias / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / complications*

Substances

  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors