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| |  Statins May Reduce the Risk of Prostate Cancer, Other Urologic Diseases ROCHESTER, Minn -- May 4, 2009 -- Statins may have protective effects on prostate health, according a 3 studies presented at the 2009 American Urological Association (AUA) Annual Meeting. The findings came from data in the Olmsted County Study of Urinary Health Status among Men, a large cohort study of men living in Olmsted County, Minnesota. The study has followed 2,447 men, age 40 to 79 years, from 1990 to the present to assess various urologic outcomes among aging men. "One of the major advantages of this large cohort study is that the men have participated in this study for over 15 years," said lead researcher on one of the studies Jennifer St. Sauver, PhD, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. "Because of this, we have the ability to look at associations between statin use, how long statins were used, and multiple aspects of urologic function." In the first study, researchers followed the 2,447 men for over 15 years and discovered that men taking statins were less likely to develop prostate cancer, compared with men who did not take statins. Of the statin users, 38 (6%) were diagnosed with prostate cancer. Comparatively, non-statin users were 3 times more likely to develop prostate cancer, suggesting statin use may prevent development of prostate cancer. "In recent years, it has been suggested that statin medications may prevent development of cancer. However, until now, there has been limited evidence to support this theory," said lead author Rodney Breau, MD, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. "Our research provides evidence that statin use is associated with a threefold reduced risk of being diagnosed with prostate cancer." In the second study, researchers studied 1,480 men from the Olmsted County cohort to determine if men who used statins were less likely to develop erectile dysfunction (ED), compared with men who did not use statins. Overall, statin use was not significantly associated with a decreased risk of developing ED. However, statins were associated with a decreased risk of ED among older men aged over 60 years. Men in this age category who used statins were less likely to develop ED, compared with older men who did not use statins. Men who took statins for nearly 9 years or more were 64% less likely to develop ED, while men who took statins for less than 3 years had about the same risk of developing ED compared with men who did not take statins. In the third study, researchers found that taking statins may prevent or delay benign prostatic enlargement. Of the 2,447 men studied, 729 (30%) were statin users and were 63% less likely to develop lower urinary tract problems and 57% less likely to develop an enlarged prostate. "Statins have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, and previous research suggests inflammation may be associated with benign prostate disease," said Dr. St. Sauver. "This study suggests that men's urinary health could be improved by taking statin medications." The researchers note that further studies, particularly clinical trials, are necessary to determine whether taking statins might prevent development of this common condition.
SOURCE: Mayo Clinic
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