Professional paper
Impact of prior statin therapy on community-acquired pneumonia outcomes
Marin Radmilović
; Medicinski fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Marija Santini
; Klinika za infektivne bolesti "Dr. Fran Mihaljević", Zagreb, Hrvatska
Abstract
Community-acquired pneumonia represents a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Current therapeutic strategies have their limits, and complementary strategies focused on modifying the host's inflammatory and immune response are being investigated. Because of their anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and other potentially beneficial effects, statins are often proposed as a possible solution. We searched the PubMed for literature examining the effect of previous statin treatment on mortality and other clinical outcomes in patients with community-acquired pneumonia. Our analysis focused on how each study controlled for potential confounders. We identified 16 studies (14 cohort and two case-control), of which 12 associated prior statin use with mortality reduction, while four denied any real association and offered healthy user effect as an alternative explanation. Although methodological heterogeneity of these studies and unresolved confounding issues disallow any final conclusion, we feel that enough quality information has been provided to warrant and guide future studies.
Keywords
Statins; community-acquired pneumonia; pneumonia; mortality
Hrčak ID:
182348
URI
Publication date:
31.3.2016.
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