Health
Statin-ALS link dispelled
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Oct. 20, 2008
A recent Food and Drug Administration analysis found that statins do not increase the incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
The analysis was undertaken after the agency received a higher-than-expected number of adverse-event reports of ALS in patients taking the cholesterol-lowering drugs. The FDA reviewed data from 41 long-term controlled clinical trials.
Meanwhile, Congress passed the ALS Registry Act Sept. 26. If signed by the president, as expected, the measure would establish the first national patient registry for the disease. It is hoped that the registry will facilitate a cure for ALS, which affects twice as many military veterans as it does people in the general population.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/10/20/hlbf1020.htm.
