Pattern of Statin Exposures Reported to Texas Poison Centers, 1998–2004

Abstract

Information on the management of potentially adverse exposures to statins is limited. This study examined the pattern of 2331 statin exposures reported to Texas poison control centers during 1998–2004. In particular comparisons were made between exposures among pediatric (age ≤ 5 yr) and adult (age ≥20 yr) patients. The number of exposures increased from 134 in 1998 to 516 in 2004. Of the total exposures, 55% were to statins alone. Of the exposures to statins alone, 57% of the patients were ≤5 yr of age and 22% were ≥60 yr of age. The majority of exposures to statins alone (a) involved female patients (53%), (b) were unintentional (94%), (c) occurred at home (91%), (d) were managed on-site/at home (89%), and (e) had a final medical outcome classified as no effect (94%). Pediatric and adult patients differed with respect to patient gender (45 versus 66% female), exposure reason (100 versus 88% unintentional, 1 versus 75% therapeutic error), exposure site (14 versus 2% at other residence), final medical outcome (4 versus 11% minor effect, none versus 4% moderate effects), report of specific adverse clinical exposures (0.2 versus 5% neurological effects, none versus 1% cardiovascular effects), and listed treatments (60 versus 24% decontamination by dilution, 13 versus 6% decontamination by food). In conclusion, reported statin exposures are increasing. The majority of potentially adverse statin exposures reported to poison control centers may be successfully managed at home with favorable outcomes. The pattern of exposures differs with age.

Funding for this research was provided by a contract with the Commission on State Emergency Communications in Texas. I thank the staff of the six poison centers (Central Texas Poison Center, North Texas Poison Center, Texas Panhandle Poison Center, South Texas Poison Center, Southeast Texas Poison Center, West Texas Regional Poison Center) of the Texas Poison Center Network, who collected the data.