Statin (mis)use in older people: A cross-sectional study using French health insurance databases.

Purpose: To describe the occurrence of potential statin misuse, its characteristics and associated factors in older people.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in Alsace and Lorraine (France) using French health insurance databases. Study population comprised community-dwelling patients and nursing homes residents aged 80 and over, who received at least one statin prescription between January 1, 2017 to April 30, 2017 (N = 38 268).

Potential Statin Overuse in Older Patients: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study Using French Health Insurance Databases.

Background: Although compelling evidence exists supporting statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors) for secondary prevention in older patients with clinical atherosclerotic diseases, the same cannot be said for primary prevention.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to estimate the frequency of potential statin overuse in older patients, the potential drug cost savings if corrected, and the associated factors.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in Alsace and Lorraine (France) from 1 January to 30 April 2017.