What is the impact of statin use on the physical functioning of older adults?
A new study by TRIGG and the University Department of Geriatric Medicine FELIX PLATTER (Basel) sheds light on the relationship between statins, gait speed reserve (GSR), and concomitant medication use in older adults.
Why this study?
Gait speed reserve (GSR)—the difference between maximal and usual walking speed—is increasingly recognized as a key marker of physiological reserve and resilience in ageing. Statins are widely prescribed among older adults, yet their effect on physical performance remains unclear, particularly in the context of polypharmacy.
What did we find?
Using data from over 5,500 older adults, we found that:
- Statin use was associated with a lower GSR
- However, this negative effect was neutralized or even reversed in individuals also taking ACE inhibitors or aspirin
What does this mean?
These findings highlight how other medications can modify the effects of statins. In an era where polypharmacy is common among older patients, this represents an important step toward more personalized pharmacotherapy in geriatrics.
What’s next?
There is a clear need for clinical trials to further investigate the mechanisms behind these interactions, and to better understand their implications for frailty, functional decline, and resilience in ageing populations.
