Statins, known for their ability to lower cholesterol and prevent strokes and heart attacks, may also reduce the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Researchers at Maccabi Healthcare Services in Tel Aviv, Israel, found-after collecting data on 1.8 million of its patients-that those who took statins less than 20 percent of the time had a 23 percent higher risk of developing RA than those who took statins 40 to 50 percent of the time. The study also found that those not taking statins had a 51 percent higher risk of developing RA over approximately 80 percent of the follow-up period. After looking at other possibilities, researchers noted that those who took statins regularly had a 41 percent lower risk of developing RA compared to those who did not take statins regularly. The study also found that the effect of statin use was strongest in younger patients and in patients using more effective statins.
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