[Lowering cholesterol in the elderly--yes, no, or maybe?].

At the present time, there is no adequate database for the application of statins for cholesterol lowering in geriatric patients. According to the current position adopted by the IOWiG (Institut für Qualität and Wirtschaftlichkeit im Gesundheitswesen = institute for quality and economy in health care), the usefulness of statins in patients with stable CAD or acute coronary syndrome can be affirmed. The National Institute of Clinical Excellence favors the administration of statins both in primary and secondary prevention of CAD and myocardial infarction, and also as a secondary prevention measure in non-severe stroke, PAD, unstable angina pectoris, and following revascularization procedures on the coronary arteries. Evidence for the superiority of the statins in patients older than 75 is, to date, available only for the indication of CAD in patients with elevated LDL cholesterol, but only up to the age of 80 years. Secondary prevention with statins leading to multipharmacotherapy must be rejected on account of the incalculable risk of side effects and drug interactions.