There were 18 trials included in the review, with over 36,000 patients. All trials were of fair or good quality.
Lipid lowering had a beneficial effect on all-cause mortality (RR 0.91, 95% CI 0.83 to 0.99, Ι²=59%, 15 trials), but there was heterogeneity across trials. When sub-divided by diabetes and haemodialysis status results were only significant in the patients not on dialysis. Cardiac mortality was lower in the treatment group (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.74 to 0.91, six trials), but not cardiac and stroke mortality combined (in four trials).
Cardiovascular events (including revascularization) were less common in the treatment group (RR 0.78 95% CI 0.71 to 0.86, nine trials). Treatment reduced myocardial infarction rates (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.67 to 0.81, nine trials), but not stroke (RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.63 to 1.27, nine trials). There was no evidence that treatment reduced end-stage renal disease.
Adverse events were similar in number between the treatment groups, and serious events were rare. Results for other outcomes were reported.