Statins exposure and adverse events in participants with chronic viral hepatitis: a meta-analysis based on cohort studies

This meta-analysis was conducted to assess the association between statin exposure and the incidence of adverse events (cirrhosis, cirrhosis decompensation, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and all-cause mortality) in individuals with chronic viral hepatitis. Seventeen cohort studies were included in this analysis. The findings indicate that statin exposure in patients is associated with a significantly reduced incidence of HCC (HR = 0.56; p < 0.001), all-cause mortality (HR = 0.63; p < 0.001), cirrhosis (HR = 0.54; p < 0.001), and cirrhosis decompensation rates (HR = 0.54; p < 0.001). The lipophilic statins were particularly effective in reducing the incidence of HCC compared to controls (HR = 0.56; 95% CI 0.40–0.80), whereas hydrophilic statins did not exhibit significant benefits (HR = 0.83; 95% CI 0.63–1.10). Exposure to statins, particularly lipophilic statins, may be effective to reduce the incidence of adverse events in individuals with chronic viral hepatitis.