RESEARCH - Adverse side effects of statins in the oral cavity

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Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2008 Feb 1;13(2):E98-101.

Adverse side effects of statins in the oral cavity.

Pascual Cruz M, Chimenos Küstner E, García Vicente JA, Mezquiriz

Ferrero X, Borrell Thio E, López López J.

Médico estomatólogo, ABS (Area Básica de Salud) Sant Roc Badalona,

Facultad de Medicina UAB, Spain.

Increased plasma levels of cholesterol are high risk factors of

cardiovascular disease. Statins are drugs that inhibit cholesterol

synthesis at both pancreatic and extrahepathic levels, being the

treatment of choice for hypercholesterolemia. OBJECTIVE: To analyze

the side effects of statins in the mouth cavity, and to analyze the

symptoms after interruption of the treatment. DESIGN: Observational

study, preliminary. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients aged 50-70,

diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia and undergoing treatment with

statins, referred from their primary care physician to the dentist's

office. Anamnesis over oral symptoms was performed in the first visit.

Statin treatment was discontinued, followed by lab tests and control

visits seven and fifteen days later. We monitored the improvement

and/or remission of oral symptoms. Statin treatment was resumed,

sending out a report of the patient evolution to the PCP. Symptoms

were registered in sheet specially designed for the study. Exclusion

criteria: patient refusal, use of drugs for dry mouth treatment,

Sjögren's syndrome. RESULTS: n=26 patients. Dry mouth patients:

improvement in 17 out of 23 patients (88.5%). Itchiness: 6 out of 15

cases improved (57.7%). Bitterness: improvement in 13 out of 14

patients (53.8%). Cough: improvement in 11 out of 12 patients (46.1%).

DISCUSSION: A high percentage of oral symptoms are associated to

treatment with statins. There is a marked improvement after temporary

interruption of the treatment. Little is known regarding the side

effects of oral treatment with statins. This preliminary study

includes a relatively small number of patients. The design of

experimental treatments will be required to establish a true

correlation between statin treatment and oral symptoms.

PMID: 18223537

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18223537

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