Seven RCTs (12,711 participants, range 155 to 2,912) were included. Follow-up was between 3.2 and 5.3 years.
Reported percentage reductions in total blood cholesterol ranged from -11.0% to -21.8% and in triglycerides from -4.7% to -15.9%.
Compared to control, statins were associated with a reduction in MACCE (OR 0.79, 95%CI 0.66 to 0.95; Ι²=56%; seven studies), stroke (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.54 to 0.94; Ι²=0%; four studies) and coronary revascularisation (did not reach statistical significance, OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.55 to 1.00; Ι²=16%; three studies). There was no statistically significant difference in all-cause mortality (Ι²=30%; three studies).
Subgroup analysis of studies that assessed atorvastatin gave similar results to the main analysis for MACCE.
Funnel plots did not show evidence of publication bias.