Association between Statin use and Abdominal Aortic Calcification in Male, Non-diabetic Elderly

Aims: Our study was to investigate the association between statin use and the prevalence of abdominal aortic calcification (AAC). Methods: The population was enrolled in the 2013-2014 cycle of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The statin use was determined from the questionnaire inquiring the medications taken in the past month. The presence of AAC and severe AAC were assessed based on the AAC score measured by abdominal dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between statin treatment and AAC after adjustment for potential confounders. Results: The study included a total of 2074 individuals; the average age 61.6±11.8 years old and 922 (44.5%) were male. AAC (AAC score >0) was present in 35.4% of the population and 12.0% had severe AAC. There were 836 (40.3%) statin users. After adjustment for demographics, lifestyles, comorbidities, and laboratory examinations, statin use was associated with higher odds of AAC (OR 1.28, 95%CI 1.02-1.62; P=0.034) and severe AAC (OR 1.78, 95%CI 1.24-2.55; P=0.002), respectively. Subgroup analysis revealed that the association was stronger in male, non-diabetic participants and those aged >60 years old. Conclusion: Stain use was associated with a greater presence of AAC and severe AAC. This association was stronger for male, non-diabetic participants and those aged >60 years.