Source: Annual Congress 2006 - Virus-induced respiratory tract infection
Disease area: Respiratory infections

Abstract

Background Studies have shown immune-modulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of statins, therefore statins could benefit patients during influenza outbreaks.
Methods The effects of statins were assessed in patients aged 50 years and older who were followed up during four epidemic and non-epidemic influenza seasons from 1996 until 2004. Primary endpoint was a composite of community-acquired pneumonia, prednisolone-treated acute respiratory disease, myocardial infarction, stroke and death from all causes. To control and quantify confounding, we obtained estimates of reductions in outcome and control events (dermatomycosis, irritable bowel syndrome) associated with statin therapy after adjustments for demographic and health characteristics.
Results In the study, 22,638 persons provided 130,558 persons-periods and statin therapy was used in 5.3%. In 3.2% of person-periods the primary endpoint occurred and most events were respiratory (72%). During influenza epidemics, statin therapy was associated with a 33% reduction in the primary endpoint (relative risk [RR] 0.67; 95%CI: 0.54-0.83 ), a 28% reduction in respiratory disease (RR 0.72; 95%CI: 0.57-0.90 ) and 51% reduction in all-cause mortality (RR 0.49; 95%CI: 0.29-0.82 ). The findings were consistent across subgroups according to age, cardiovascular disease or exposure to influenza vaccination. In non-epidemic influenza seasons, no significant reduction in the primary endpoint was observed while statin therapy was not associated with reductions of the control event rates (n=1,240) in either season.
Conclusions Statin therapy was associated with substantial reductions in the risk of serious, mainly respiratory, outcomes during influenza epidemics.

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Citations should be made in the following way:
E. Hak, T. J. M. Verheij, T. E. van Essen, M. J. M. Bonten, A. W. Hoes (Utrecht, Netherlands). Effects of statin therapy on the risk of serious outcomes during influenza epidemics. Eur Respir J 2006; 28: Suppl. 50, 964

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