U.K. researchers: Statin risks exaggerated<p>

In a review published Friday in The Lancet, U.K. researchers said claims about the side effects of statin therapy have been exaggerated, and expressed concern over reduced statin use to prevent cardiovascular events. The researchers said "raised awareness of perceived side effects" has led to fewer prescriptions and reduced compliance. Two papers published in The BMJ in 2013 included statistics concerning statins' side effects that were later corrected.

In a comment accompanying the review published Friday, Lancet Editor-in-Chief Richard Horton compared the "statin scare" to fraudulent research of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Horton predicted 2,000 additional cardiovascular events in the U.K. over the next decade attributable to discontinuation of statins. ...