Cited by 78Lipoproteins and Cardiovascular HealthCardiac Health and Mental HealthCancer, Lipids, and Metabolism

The impact of statins on psychological wellbeing: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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O'Neil, Adrienne, Sanna, Livia, Redlich, Cassie, Sanderson, Kristy, Jacka, Felice, Williams, Lana J, Pasco, Julie A, Berk, Michael·2012·BMC Medicine

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cholesterol-lowering medications such as statins have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which may be beneficial for treating depression and improving mood. However, evidence regarding their effects remains inconsistent, with some studies reporting links to mood disturbances. We aimed to conduct a meta-analysis to determine the impact of statins on psychological wellbeing of individuals with or without hypercholesterolemia. METHODS: Articles were identified using medical, health, psychiatric and social science databases, evaluated for quality, and data were synthesized and analyzed in RevMan-5 software using a random effects model. RESULTS: The 7 randomized controlled trials included in the analysis represented 2,105 participants. A test for overall effect demonstrated no statistically significant differences in psychological wellbeing between participants receiving statins or a placebo (standardized mean difference (SMD) = -0.08, 95% CI -0.29 to 0.12; P = 0.42). Sensitivity analyses were conducted to separately analyze depression (n = 5) and mood (n = 2) outcomes; statins were associated with statistically significant improvements in mood scores (SMD = -0.43, 95% CI -0.61 to -0.24). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings refute evidence of negative effects of statins on psychological outcomes, providing some support for mood-related benefits. Future studies could examine the effects of statins in depressed populations.

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  • Meta-analytic evidence suggests that statins induce mood-enhancing effects and decrease the risk of development of de novo depression in humans.

    “In addition, meta-analytic evidence suggests that statins induce mood-enhancing effects and decrease the risk of development of de novo depression in humans [170, 171].”

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Authors
O'Neil, A., Sanna, L., Redlich, C., Sanderson, K., Jacka, F., Williams, L. J., Pasco, J. A., & Berk, M.
Affiliations
  • Deakin University (AU)
  • Lund University (SE)
  • University of Tasmania (AU)
  • Mental Health Research Institute (AU)
Corresponding author
O'Neil, Adrienne
Venue
BMC Medicine
Published
2012-12
Volume
10
Issue
1
Pages
154-154
ISSN
1741-7015 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2124902096
Cited by
78
References
38
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 2
FWCI
1.49
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • BMC Medicine (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • eCite Digital Repository (University of Tasmania) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Minerva Access (University of Melbourne) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Lund University Publications (Lund University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • UEA Digital Repository (University of East Anglia) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Amgen
  • Bristol-Myers Squibb
  • Eli Lilly and Company
  • Pfizer
  • Sanofi
  • Geelong Region Medical Research Foundation
  • American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
  • Beyond Blue
  • Deakin University
  • University of Melbourne
  • Servier
  • H. Lundbeck A/S
  • Barwon Health Foundation
  • National Institutes of Health
  • Medical Research Council
  • National Health and Medical Research Council (1021347)
  • Cilag
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Surgery › Lipoproteins and Cardiovascular Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Cardiac Health and Mental Health
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cancer Research › Cancer, Lipids, and Metabolism
Keywords
statins, psychological well-being, depression, mood, hypercholesterolemia, cholesterol-lowering drugs, anti-inflammatory activity, antidepressant effects
MeSH terms
Affect, Depression, Humans, Mental Health, Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors

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