Taking statins reduces the risk of hepatic decompensation and death among patients with chronic liver diseases, suggests this systematic review and meta-analysis.

• Investigators reviewed 3 randomized trials and 10 cohort studies performed in patients with chronic liver diseases.
• Among 121,058 patients with chronic liver disease, 84.5% of whom had hepatitis C, nearly half had been taking statins (46%).
• Patients with cirrhosis were 46% less likely to experience hepatic decompensation if they had been exposed to statins, and their risk of dying was lowered by 46% as well.
• Among patients with chronic liver disease who did not have cirrhosis, statins were associated with a lower but nonsignificant reduced risk of cirrhosis or fibrosis progression.