Statins for venous ulcers

Statins may improve healing of venous leg ulcers, according to a recent study. In a small, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 66 patients with uninfected ulcers smaller than 10 cm, half were randomized to simvastatin 40 mg and the other half to placebo. Overall, 72% of ulcers in simvastatin-treated patients healed vs 32% healed in the control group. Smaller ulcers had a better response rate. The authors conclude that simvastatin 40 mg daily, in addition to standard wound care and compression, was associated with a significant improvement in healing rate and healing time compared to placebo in the management of venous ulcers (published online Br J Dermatol, doi: 10.1111/bjd.12883). The authors postulate that statins inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines, which may help wound healing. The benefit was seen in patients regardless of cholesterol levels.