Study says statins risk probably exaggerated
When statins first came into wide use, warnings about possible liver damage were common, and some patients on the cholesterol-lowering drugs have their liver functions monitored. Now a study has found that the risk was probably exaggerated.
Of 1,188 cases of drug-induced liver injury from 2004 to 2012 in a registry maintained by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, there were 22 cases of injury caused by statins. Nine patients were hospitalized; four had evidence of liver failure; and one died. The study appears in the August issue of Hepatology.
Lipitor, Lescol, Mevacor, Pravachol, Crestor and Zocor were the medicines involved, at rates approximating their use in the United States. The injuries were mostly mild to moderate, and were reversed quickly once the treatment was stopped. The patient who died had alcoholic liver disease, which probably contributed to his death.
“Statins are a remarkably safe category of medicines, and the benefits far outweigh the risks,” said the lead author, Dr. Mark W. Russo, a professor of medicine at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C. He added that there was no need for people on statins to have a test for the sole purpose of monitoring liver function.
— Nicholas Bakalar
New York Times
Hints from Heloise:
Tape picture of shoes to outside of the boxes
Emily W. in Nevada writes: I recently cleaned out all my closets. I took a picture of my shoes (which I keep in the original boxes) and taped them to the outside of the shoe box. Makes it a lot easier to grab the right pair of shoes!
Lily D. in Utah writes: When a pair of rubber gloves from the kitchen gets a hole or wears out, I don’t throw out the entire glove. Instead, I cut off the fingertips. They can be used on the ends of brooms, mops or anything you place against a wall. I’ve even put them on the ends of pot handles for an extra grip (just make sure it is not a handle that gets hot).
Angie P. writes via email: I have found that a pair of long tongs with silicone tips works very well to reach items from the top shelf in the kitchen cabinet.
— King Features
Paris begins campaign for love without locks
Paris hopes to persuade couples to end the unwelcome recent tradition of fixing padlocks to the Seine River’s aging bridges, and instead upload hashtagged selfies to a website dedicated to enduring love.
With giant stickers in French, English and Spanish on the Pont de l’Archeveche, behind Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris began its #lovewithoutlocks campaign on Wednesday, saying the city’s famed bridges “can’t resist your love” — the padlocks clinging to every available surface.
The lovers’ locks craze dates back only a decade or so. But the weight is pulling bridge railings down.
Attaching a lock is a “symbol of togetherness,” said Lawrence Phillips of Wales, at the bridge with his Australian girlfriend.
Dutch tourist Bob Te Booy agreed. “I think [a selfie] isn’t a good replacement.”
— Associated Press