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Meta-Analysis
. 2021 Dec;43(1):718-728.
doi: 10.1080/0886022X.2021.1915799.

Efficacy of statins on renal function in patients with chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Lin Zhao  1 , Shu Li  2 , Ying Gao  3
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Efficacy of statins on renal function in patients with chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Lin Zhao et al. Ren Fail. 2021 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Studies have shown that the use of statins could significantly improve lipid profiles; however, it remains controversial whether the use of statins could improve renal function in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effects of statins on renal function in patients with CKD.

Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library databases for eligible RCTs from inception to October 2020. Pooled effect estimates were assigned as weighted mean differences (WMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using the random-effects model.

Results: We selected 33 RCTs that recruited 37,391 patients with CKD patients. The summary results suggested that statin use significantly reduced urinary albumin (WMD: -2.04; 95%CI: -3.53 to -0.56; p = .007) and protein (WMD: -0.58; 95%CI: -0.95 to -0.21; p = .002) excretions and increased creatinine clearance (WMD: 0.86; 95%CI: 0.32-1.41; p = .002). However, there were no significant differences between statin and control groups in terms of changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (WMD: 0.38; 95%CI: -0.04 to 0.79; p = .075), and serum creatinine levels (WMD: -0.07; 95%CI: -0.25, 0.12; p = .475).

Conclusions: We found that statin use in patients with CKD may slow CKD progression by lowering urinary albumin and protein excretions or increasing creatinine clearance. Further large-scale RCTs should be conducted to evaluate the long-term effects of statins on renal outcomes. Abbreviations: CKD: chronic kidney disease; RCT: randomized controlled trials; WMD: weighted mean differences; CI: confidence intervals; ACEI: angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors; eGFR: estimated glomerular filtration rate.

Keywords: Statins; chronic kidney disease; meta-analysis; renal function.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Flow chart of the study selection process.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Comparison of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) change between statin and control groups.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Comparison of urinary albumin excretion rate change between statin and control groups.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Comparison of creatinine clearance change between statin and control groups.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Comparison of serum creatinine change between statin and control groups.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Comparison of urinary protein excretion between statin and control groups.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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