Statins and the risk of acute pancreatitis: a population-based case-control study

Background Case reports have suggested that statins may cause acute pancreatitis. Aim To examine if statins are associated with risk of acute pancreatitis. Methods We identified 2576 first-time admitted cases of acute pancreatitis from hospital discharge registers in three Danish counties, and 25 817 age-and gender-matched controls from the general population. Prescriptions for statins prior to admission with acute pancreatitis or index date among controls were retrieved from prescription databases. We used conditional logistic regression analysis to estimate odds ratios for acute pancreatitis among ever (ever before), current (0-90 days before), new (first prescription in 0-90 days before) and former (> 90 days, but not 0-90 days before) users of statins. Results Adjusted odds ratios for acute pancreatitis among ever, current, new and former users of statins were 1.44 (95% confidence interval: 1.115-1.80), 1.26 (95% confidence interval: 0.96-1.64), 1.01 (95% confidence interval: 0.43-2.37) and 2.02 (95% confidence interval: 1.37-2.97), respectively. There was an indication of an inverse association between the number of filled prescriptions and risk of acute pancreatitis. Conclusions Our findings speak against a strong causative effect of statins on the risk of acute pancreatitis, and may even indicate a mild protective effect.