Statin treatment linked to reduced mortality in patients with influenza

Treatment with statins may be associated with a reduction in mortality in patients hospitalized with influenza, according to results of a new study presented today at the 47th Annual Meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

Meredith VanderMeer, MPH, from the Oregon Public Health Division, who presented the results at a press conference, said that the results indicate that statins are “a promising area for further exploration” and may be a “possible useful adjunct to antiviral medications and vaccines.”

The study results were based on data from the Emerging Infections Program, which conducts active surveillance for patients hospitalized with influenza in 59 counties in 10 states.

VanderMeer and her colleagues conducted chart review analyses of all patients aged 18 years and older who were included in the Emerging Infections Program data. Data for two influenza seasons were examined. There were a total of 3,921 lab-confirmed influenza associated hospitalizations during the study period. Twenty-six percent (n=1,019) of these patients received statins during hospitalization.

VanderMeer said patients who received statins during hospitalization were more likely to be older, male, white or Asian, to have underlying health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and to have been vaccinated against influenza that season.

VanderMeer’s multivariable logistic regression model indicated that age (OR=1.06, CI: 1.04-1.08 per year increase) and cardiovascular disease (OR=2.91, CI: 1.52-5.56) were associated with an increased mortality risk. The administration of statins during hospitalization was associated with a significant reduction in mortality risk (OR=0.34, CI: 0.16-0.70).

VanderMeer said more randomized controlled trials examining the effects of statins on patients with influenza should be conducted.