Statin Therapy is Associated With Lower Risk of Mortality Among Liver Transplant Candidates With Metabolic Dysfunction-associated Steatohepatitis

Background

Statin therapy is historically underutilized in patients with chronic liver disease. There is increasing evidence to support the use of statins in patients with cirrhosis, though data in decompensated patients are limited. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the association between statin use and mortality in patients with advanced liver disease, comparing MASH and non-MASH cirrhosis.

Methods

This single-center retrospective cohort study included patients undergoing liver transplant (LT) evaluation at a large quaternary care center. Patients were categorized by etiology as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) or non-MASH cirrhosis. Statin use was defined as having an active prescription at the time of LT evaluation. The association between statin use and mortality was evaluated using multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression.

Results

The study included 623 patients; 24% had MASH cirrhosis and 20% were prescribed a statin. Statin users were older, had a higher BMI, and were more likely to have coronary artery disease. At the end of the study, statin use was associated with lower mortality among MASH patients (16% vs. 35%, P = 0.010) and higher mortality among non-MASH patients (31% vs. 19%, P = 0.066). After controlling for age (HR 1.05, 95% CI: 1.00–1.10, P = 0.039), MELD-Na (HR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.04–1.11, P < 0.001), BMI (HR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.05–1.14, P < 0.001), and CAD (HR: 1.20, 95% CI: 0.54–2.69, P = 0.653), statin use conferred a 53% lower risk of death compared with no statin use in patients with MASH cirrhosis (HR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.22–0.98, P = 0.043).

Conclusions

Statin use was associated with reduced mortality in patients with decompensated MASH cirrhosis undergoing LT evaluation, but increased mortality in those with non-MASH cirrhosis, particularly those with high-MELD-Na. These findings underscore the importance of reviewing individual patient characteristics and disease etiology when considering the benefits of statin therapy in patients with cirrhosis.