3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors prevent the progression of renal dysfunction in Japanese hypertensive patients

Aim:  The aim was to determine whether the use of statins prevents the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in hypertensive patients. Methods:  We retrospectively reviewed data obtained from hypertensive patients, and subjects with diabetes mellitus and those undergoing hemodialysis were excluded. At total of 227 patients were enrolled (83 men, mean age 73 years) and 90% of the patients were of CKD stage 2 or 3. The patients were divided into two groups: those treated with statins (n = 93) and those not treated with statins (n = 134). Renal function was evaluated by estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Results:  The statin group and the non-statin group were similar in age, sex, blood pressure, follow-up period and prescriptions of antihypertensive medicines. The eGFR in the statin group increased from 62 ± 14 to 66 ± 15 (mL/min per 1.73 m2), whereas it decreased in the non-statin group from 69 ± 16 to 64 ± 18 (mL/min per 1.73 m2). The annual eGFR improved in the statin group (2.5 ± 6.6 mL/min per 1.73 m2/year), but decreased in the non-statin group (−3.3 ± 6.6 mL/min per 1.73 m2/year) (P < 0.001). When the patients were divided into two groups by low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels at the second evaluation, annual eGFR improved in the group of LDL to below 100 mg/dL (n = 99) (0.4 ± 7.2 mL/min per 1.73 m2/year), but decreased in the other group (n = 128) (−1.9 ± 7.0 mL/min per 1.73 m2/year) (P = 0.018). Conclusion:  Lipid-lowering intervention with statins inhibits the progression of CKD in hypertensive patients. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2010; 10: 219–224.