Statin use and the risk of post-stroke seizures: A meta-analysis

PURPOSE The magnitude of association between statin use and post-stroke seizures (PSS) risk remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate this issue. METHODS We systematically searched electronic libraries, including Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases, for relevant clinical studies. The main outcome was the risk of early PSS and the risk of post-stroke epilepsy (PSE). The pooled relative risks (RRs) and the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to calculate the association between statin treatment and risks of early PSS and PSE. RESULTS A total of 7 articles met our inclusion criteria and were included. For early PSS risk, statin use was associated with a lower risk of early PSS (RR 0.36, 95% CI 0.25-0.53; p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses based on the prescribing timing of statins showed that pre-stroke statin use was not associated with the risk of early PSS; post-stroke statin use was associated with a lower risk of early PSS (RR 0.37, 95% CI 0.25-0.54; p < 0.001). For PSE risk, statin use was associated with a lower risk of PSE (RR 0.62, 95% CI 0.42-0.92; p = 0.017). Further subgroup analyses based on the prescribing timing of statins indicated that pre-stroke statin use was not associated with the risk of PSE; post-stroke statin use was associated with a lower risk of PSE (RR 0.59, 95% CI 0.49-0.70; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Statin treatment, especially the post-statin treatment, was associated with lower risks of early PSS and PSE.