Discontinuing Statins in Multimorbid Older Adults without Cardiovascular Disease - a Randomized Non-Inferiority Clinical Trial (STREAM)
Description: <p><strong>Background </strong><br>Statin therapy (cholesterol-lowering medication) is prescribed to prevent strokes and heart attacks, particularly in those with a previous heart attack or stroke. To date, the benefits of statins are uncertain for patients aged 70 years and older but without established cardiovascular disease (primary prevention), particularly among those with multiple chronic diseases (multimorbidity). Few studies have included patients aged 70 years and older, and these studies have not shown a benefit of statin treatment (no increase in strokes and heart attacks after stopping of statin therapy). In addition, statin side effects are more common in this population and could negatively affect quality of life.<span style=''></span></p><strong>Aims<br></strong>This nationwide study assesses the effect of discontinuing statins in adults aged 70+ years with multimorbidity who take a statin for primary prevention (no previous heart attack and stroke). 1,800 participants across Switzerland will be allocated randomly into two groups (discontinuing or continuing statin therapy) and will be followed up for 12-45 months. The risk of heart attacks, stroke, impaired quality of life and other patient-centered outcomes will be compared.<br><br><strong>Scientific and Societal Context<br></strong>This study will evaluate the impact of discontinuing statins in older patients with multimorbidity who take a statin for primary prevention. If the evolution is similar in the two study groups, these patients may benefit from reduced medication burden and potentially improved quality of life. The population of multimorbid elderly has been neglected in clinical trials so far but are growing fast. The results of this study will therefore apply to a large part of the population.<p> </p>
Amount: CHF 3,492,000
Funding type: research
Funder scheme: Investigator Initiated Clinical Trials (IICT)
Start date: 2021-09-01
End date: 2026-08-31
Investigator: Rodondi, Nicolas
Institution: University of Berne – BE
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Funded outputs count: 15
Funder award ID: 193052
OpenAlex ID: G445939466