Statins may slow down the progression of several liver disorders by impeding hepatic fibrosis and preventing decompensation in cirrhosis. Research also suggests the drugs may reduce the death toll from chronic liver disease, according to a literature review that looked at 10 studies and more than 259,000 patients.

• The analysis suggests that statins cut the risk of hepatic fibrosis progression in half (HR, 0.49).
• Among patients with hepatitis C, the progression to fibrosis was also reduced by statins (HR, 0.52).
• Similarly, the risk of hepatic decompensation in patients with cirrhosis was reduced (HR, 0.54).
• Researchers emphasize, however, that the quality of the evidence supporting these conclusions was low, prompting them to recommend more studies.