Statin can reduce the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma among patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
Currently, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the main cause of chronic liver disease and liver-related mortality worldwide. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a fatal complication in patients with NAFLD. However, whether statins can reduce the risk of HCC in patients with NAFLD remains controversial. We aimed to determine the relationship between statin use and HCC occurrence among patients with NAFLD. We independently retrieved related studies from PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrial.gov (from 1 January 2000 to 27 February 2022). The main outcome was the development of HCC. A fixed-effects model was used to merge odds ratio (OR) in the meta-analysis. Five studies involving 684 363 patients were included. The results of the meta-analysis suggested a significantly lower risk of HCC among statin users with NAFLD [OR = 0.59; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.39-0.89; I2 = 87.90%]. Additionally, a lower risk of HCC was observed among patients with NAFLD aged less than 65 years (OR = 0.59; 95% CI, 0.46-0.77; I2 = 20.50%). Statins can reduce the risk of HCC in patients aged less than 65 years with NAFLD.
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Multiple observational studies suggest a benefit of statins on the prevention of HCC and/or cirrhotic complications.
“Multiple observational studies suggest a bene fi t of statins on the prevention of HCC and/or cirrhotic complications. 469”
From EASL-EASD-EASO Clinical Practice Guidelines on the management of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). (2024) · cites this paper as [469]
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Tacke, F., Horn, P., Wai-Sun Wong, V., Ratziu, V., Bugianesi, E., Francque, S., Zelber-Sagi, S., Valenti, L., Roden, M., Schick, F., et al. (2024) · Journal of Hepatology · doi:10.1016/j.jhep.2024.04.031 · Cited by 2,210 · see citing works
- Authors
- Zhang, J., Fu, S., Liu, D., Wang, Y., & Tan, Y.
- Affiliations
- Central South University (CN)
- Corresponding author
- Wang, Yongjun
- Venue
- European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology
- Published
- 2023-01-31
- Volume
- 35
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 353-358
- ISSN
- 0954-691X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W4318671831
- Cited by
- 27
- References
- 44
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 5
- FWCI
- 0.85
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cancer Research › Cancer, Lipids, and Metabolism
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Liver Disease Diagnosis and Treatment
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Hepatology › Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treatment and Prognosis
- Keywords
- statins, hepatocellular carcinoma, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, chronic liver disease
- MeSH terms
- Aged, Carcinoma, Hepatocellular, Humans, Liver Neoplasms, Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors, Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
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