Association between use of statins and mortality among patients hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza virus infections: a multistate study

J Infect Dis. 2012 Jan 1;205(1):13-9. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jir695. Epub 2011 Dec 13.

Abstract

Background: Statins may have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects that could reduce the risk of mortality from influenza virus infections.

Methods: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Emerging Infections Program conducts active surveillance for persons hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza in 59 counties in 10 states. We analyzed data for hospitalized adults during the 2007-2008 influenza season to evaluate the association between receiving statins and influenza-related death.

Results: We identified 3043 patients hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza, of whom 1013 (33.3%) received statins and 151 (5.0%) died within 30 days of their influenza test. Patients who received statins were more likely to be older, male, and white; to suffer from cardiovascular, metabolic, renal, and chronic lung disease; and to have been vaccinated against influenza that season. In a multivariable logistic regression model, administration of statins prior to or during hospitalization was associated with a protective odds of death (adjusted odds ratio, 0.59 [95% confidence interval, .38-.92]) when adjusting for age; race; cardiovascular, lung, and renal disease; influenza vaccination; and antiviral administration.

Conclusions: Statin use may be associated with reduced mortality in patients hospitalized with influenza.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Female
  • Hospital Mortality
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Influenza, Human / drug therapy
  • Influenza, Human / mortality*
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Odds Ratio
  • Population Surveillance
  • United States / epidemiology

Substances

  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors