Statins for Patients With Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) commonly causes an increase in the transaminase levels with the underlying problems, including diabetes, obesity, or both. NAFLD patients are often at an increased risk of cardiovascular events globally, representing a leading cause of death. Therefore, this study aims to review present evidence regarding the utilization of statin in NAFLD patients and discuss the effects of these agents on liver histology and cardiovascular disease. We comprehensively reviewed the current evidence on the statins safety in NAFLD patients and their effects on cardiovascular events or liver histology. The findings suggest that statins are safe to be administered to NAFLD patients including people with increased transaminase (< 3 times - upper limit of normal). The reviewed studies indicate that statins may reduce cardiovascular risk. Some controversial data also emerged from the literature regarding the effect of statins on liver histology in NAFLD patients. The treatment with statins is safe, which may also lessen cardiovascular events in patients with NAFLD. Future and ongoing studies will elucidate if statins have a role in treating NAFLD. Although clinicians are often refrained from prescribing statins for NAFLD patients, it is used to reduce cardiovascular mortality and morbidity and lower liver enzymes.

J Endocrinol Metab. 2020;10(6):162-166
doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jem705