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Statin use does not ‘substantially’ increase risk for influenza
Researchers have concluded that although high-intensity statin users experienced a greater risk for influenza-related medical encounters after vaccination, the risk for low- to moderate-intensity statin users did not significantly increase.
Further, Hector S. Izurieta, MD, of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, and colleagues said they “found no significant differences in influenza risks between synthetic and nonsynthetic statin users.”
Izurieta and his team identified 1,403,651 statin users from Medicare beneficiaries, aged 65 and older, who received either high-dose (HD) or standard-dose (SD) influenza vaccines at pharmacies between Aug. 1, 2011, and Aug. 1, 2015. Subsequently, statin users were matched to nonusers by vaccine type, demographics, prior medical encounters and comorbidities. A multivariable Poisson model was used by Izurieta and colleagues to estimate the association between statin use and the risk for influenza-related office visits and hospitalizations.
The primary outcomes of the study included influenza-related office visits with a rapid test followed by the dispensing of an antiviral, and influenza-related hospitalizations — including ER visits — during high influenza circulation periods.
The study results showed a 1.086 (95% CI, 1.025-1.15) adjusted RR for influenza-related visits and a 1.096 (95% CI, 1.013-1.185) adjusted RR for influenza-related hospitalizations in statin users compared with nonusers. Depending on influenza season severity, the risk difference for influenza-related visits ranged from –0.02 to 0.23 and from –0.04 to 0.13 for influenza-related hospitalizations. The adjusted risk difference was similar for vaccine type, HD or SD, and statin type, synthetic or non-synthetic. Influenza-related risks were highest in beneficiaries receiving high-intensity statin therapy. Conversely, low-intensity statin users did not experience a differential risk for influenza-related medical encounters when compared with nonusers.
The association between statin use and influenza-related visits or hospitalizations, even among high-intensity statin users, was not significant enough to alarm researchers. Izurieta and colleagues concluded, “our findings suggest that receipt of statins around the time of influenza vaccination does not substantially affect the risk of influenza-related medical encounters among vaccinated Medicare beneficiaries.” - by Marley Ghizzone
Disclosures: Izurieta reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the study for all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.