Clinical Characteristics of Patients With Statin Discontinuation in Korea: A Nationwide Population-Based Study.

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with statin discontinuation in Korea, using a nationwide database.

Methods: We analyzed 1,308,390 patients treated with statin for the first time in their life between 2016 and 2017 using the Korean National Health Information Database. The patients participated in the Korean National Health Screening Program within two years before taking statin. Patients with statin discontinuation were defined as those who were not prescribed statin between 365 days and 730 days after the initial statin prescription.

Results: The overall prevalence of statin discontinuation was 39.44%. Patients with statin discontinuation were younger, had lower body mass index (BMI), included a higher number of smokers and drinkers, did not exercise regularly, with fewer cases of hypertension and diabetes mellitus than those without statin discontinuation (p<0.001). Compared with patients aged 20-29 years, the risk of statin discontinuation showed a U-shaped relationship with age (odds ratios [ORs]: 0.619 in 30-39 years; 0.454 in 40-49 years; 0.345 in 50-59 years; 0.307 in 60-69 years; 0.324 in 70-79 years; and 0.415 in ≥80 years). In addition, increased BMI was associated with decreased risk of statin discontinuation (ORs: 0.969 with 25.0-29.9 kg/m², and 0.890 with ≥30.0 kg/m²). Patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus were at a lower risk of statin discontinuation (OR: 0.414 for hypertension; 0.416 for diabetes mellitus).

Conclusion: The prevalence of patients with statin discontinuation in Korea was 39.44% at 1 to 2 years after initial statin treatment.