STAREE: Atorvastatin Cuts Cardiovascular Events but Not Disability in Elders

This large primary-prevention trial in community-dwelling adults 70 years and older demonstrates a robust cardiovascular benefit from 40 mg atorvastatin without a corresponding gain in disability-free survival.

📅 Journal publication: Oct 1, 2026 (online Aug 29, 2026) · Last updated: Oct 12, 2026

★ Must Readatorvastatinstatinslipidsprimary preventioncardiovascular eventsolder adultsdementiadisability-free survivalrandomized controlled trialSTAREELDL cholesterolmyocardial infarction Cardiology

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Background Information

Can atorvastatin extend disability-free life in seniors without heart disease?

The study investigates whether atorvastatin improves survival without disability in elderly patients without cardiovascular disease (CVD). Atorvastatin 40 mg did not significantly improve disability-free survival compared to placebo in adults aged 70 and older. The results indicate limited benefit of atorvastatin for primary prevention of CVD-related disability in older adults without existing CVD. Atorvastatin may not enhance disability-free survival in seniors without CVD.

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Authors: Zoungas S, Wolfe R, Moran C, Nicholls SJ, Cloud GC, Reid CM, Τonkin AM, Beilin L, Wierzbicki AS, Chong TT, Broder JC, Curtis AJ, Flanagan Z, Hopper I, Ryan J, Spark S, McNeil JJ, Nelson MR, STAREE Investigators

Citation: Zoungas S, Wolfe R, Moran C, et al. Atorvastatin, Cardiovascular Events, and Disability-free Survival in Older Adults. The New England journal of medicine. 2026;395(13):1259-1272. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2607314

Article Links: PubMed · Journal / DOI

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