Statin use, survival and incidence of thrombosis among older patients with polycythemia vera and essential thrombocythemia

[Manouche]

Conclusions

These findings suggest that it may be important to incorporate statins into the therapeutic strategy for older adults with PV and ET.

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...

[Elizka]

Hi,

This is a great podcast with Dr. Attia on statins and the benefits. Minute mark around 1:30.

"There is not class of drugs that I spend defending than statins." Dr. Attia.

youtu.be/8kytXpshGks?si=CfV...(Not working as expected?)

[Phil1955]

Hi I’m on Atorvastatin put on 18 months back off my Haematolygist I’m 67 high risk

[dabs121]

Thank you for posting this study. While I have been prescribed a statin by my GP I have been "sitting on the fence" with regards to continuing taking it, due to the many reports of their adverse side effects. My last blood test showed my ALT liver function test to be high at 105 (lab range 0-55) so I am having it checked again in 2 weeks time, so hopefully it has normalised and isn't due to my statin.

[Bluetop]

Thanks for posting this. I do not have high cholesterol, nor do I smoke and I am pretty active so don't consider myself high risk for thrombosis except for the PV issue (and my bloods are usually well controlled). So far I have not taken statins but the section in this article about possible connections between cholesterol and the JAK2-V617F-mediated signalling is very interesting.

[Peterwi]

Very interesting, I have just started taking statins. Thanks for posting

[Elizka]

I'm going to see my cardiologist about starting Pravastatin. I'm healthy except for PV and Besremi keeps my counts controlled, but my cholesterol has started to increase with no changes to my diet or exercise.

[Elizka]

This was very interesting: "Using JAK2-V617F-dependent MPN cell lines as well as primary cells from JAK2-V617F positive MPN patients, Griner et al. found that cholesterol is required for JAK2-V617F-mediated signaling and that JAK2-V617F-mediated transformation is sensitive to statins, suggesting that statins could potentially be incorporated into a therapeutic strategy for MPN patients.41 In addition to the potential direct effects on MPN cells, statins may also contribute to the amelioration of disease through their anti-inflammatory effects. "

[AndyT]

Thanks for sharing that.

I was put on a statin 20 years ago when first diagnosed with ET and have been on it ever since. Initially Simvastatin, now Pravastatin, both at a low daily dose of 20mg.

My cholesterol was only slightly raised at the time of my diagnosis but it seemed sensible to me and my doctors to keep it under control and eliminate another possible risk factor.

[lindyloulou]

Thankyou for sharing this.

Does anyone take statins who also take Interferon . My Haem advised I couldn’t take statins while taking interferon.

[Dane12 in reply to lindyloulou]

Hi,I am taking Besremi with a low dose of statin.

My hematolog was ok with this. In fact, I have never heard that interferon and statins do not go along.

[lindyloulou in reply to Dane12]

Thankyou

[RCBr in reply to lindyloulou]

I'm taking 40mg of atorvastatin now after administration of IV cyclizine caused a TIA post surgery. I'm also taking weekly Pegasys interferon 90mcg x

[lindyloulou in reply to RCBr]

Thank-you for your reply, that’s quite reassuring, I am not overly confident with my new Haematologist. Due to see her in October so will raise this then. My GP was writing to her to get her advice.

[Zingawinga]

Ugh, wish my doctor had considered this last year when I got a formal diagnosis of ET with JAK2 (the usual story of high platelets for a few years).We dont really have MPN specialists here in New Zealand, I see a visiting Haematologist Registrar every 6-12 months. Many GPs (and doctors at the hospital where I work) dont seem to know much about MPNs; Im a nurse and Ive yet to meet a nurse colleague who knows what they are.

Always told the headaches, pain and pure weariness arent symptoms...

Anyway, had a long haul flight last week, and woke up with bad calf pain. Thought I better check it out; and while at ED I mentioned an unusual speech issue I had had that morning.

I didnt have a dvt, but a CT head showed "chronic lacunar infarction, white matter changes and microangiopathic disease".

Bit blown away, especially as Im only 59.

Currently on aspirin and started hydroxyurea 3 months ago, and its now kicked in lowering platelets and spleen size.

I also feel its helped normalise my blood pressure.

My biggest concern is the white matter changes; my Mother had Alzheimers, and I worry about the burden for my 3 adult children.

Not sure what Im aftee, think I just want to be heard

* currently looking for a neurologist