Cohort study of association of statin use with risk of hepatocellular carcinoma and liver fibrosis in chronic liver disease

Statins may lower the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by mitigating liver fibrosis progression. A cohort study including 16,501 patients who were aged 40 years or older and living with chronic liver disease (CLD), found that statin use was significantly associated with a lower ten-year cumulative incidence of HCC (3.8% versus 8.0%; asHR 0,67; 95% CI 0.59-0.76) and liver decompensation (10.6% versus 19.5%; asHR 0.78; 95% CI 0.67-0.91). Lipophilic statins and longer cumulative statin use were associated with further risk reductions, and statin users exhibited a reduced likelihood of remaining in or transitioning to high-risk Fibrosis-4 score groups. The authors conclude that statin use may reduce the risks of HCC and hepatic decompensation in patients with CLD.