Re: Statins in primary prevention

From: Jim Chinnis (jchinnis_at_alum.mit.edu)
Date: 12/19/04 

Date: Sun, 19 Dec 2004 18:00:45 GMT

"zwalanga" <zwalanga@yahoo.com> wrote in part:

>
>Jim Chinnis wrote:

>> I take a statin to reduce my risk of death (and morbidity) from heart
>disease.
>
>
>
>Faith, not science.

Bayesian statistics, actually--part of what is called "science."

We never know all that we need to know in making a decision, nor can we be
certain about many of the considerations that enter into it. But we have to
make decisions as best we can.

A drug can't be held back until long-term (lifetime?) studies are done. It
can't be held back until every rare side-effect is quantified.

I can decide to take a statin or not. I have to decide based on how well the
many studies pertain to me, what I know about my special circumstances, and
what I know about other actions i can take. All that requires *judgment.* Your
use of the word, "faith," would apply if I were suspending my judgment and
substituting someone else's. I don't accept at face value what pharmaceutical
firms say. I have thought long and hard about the data. 

--
Jim Chinnis  Warrenton, Virginia, USA  jchinnis@alum.mit.edu

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