Factors Associated with Discontinuation of Statin Therapy in Patients with Lymphoma Aged 80 Years and Older: A Retrospective Single-Institute Study

BACKGROUND: There is little evidence to support or negate the benefits of statin therapy for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in lymphoma patients aged 80 years or older. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) scores and previously reported risk factors for failure of statin therapy discontinuation in lymphoma patients aged 80 years and older with the aim of identifying those in whom discontinuation of statins for primary CVD prevention is indicated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Our study cohort comprised 50 patients aged 80 years and older treated with chemotherapy for lymphoma at our institute from January 2011 to July 2020. We retrospectively analyzed the associations between CGA, including Geriatric 8, instrumental activities of daily living, and Charlson comorbidity index, and previously reported factors associated with failure of statin therapy discontinuation, defined as reintroduction of statins after their discontinuation, in this patient cohort. RESULTS: Twenty years or less of statin therapy was an independent predictor of failure of statin therapy discontinuation (hazard ratio 8.240, 95% confidence interval 1.380–49.10). There were significant differences in the rate of failure of statin discontinuation between patients receiving statins for ≥ 20 years versus < 20 years (p = 0.010). Multivariate analysis of CGA-related scores identified no significant risk factors for failure of statin discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS: Discontinuation of statin therapy may be indicated in lymphoma patients aged 80 years and older who have used statins for 20 years or more.