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Meta-Analysis
. 2012 Nov;125(11):1111-23.
doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2012.04.011. Epub 2012 Jul 24.

Is statin use associated with reduced mortality after pneumonia? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Vineet Chopra  1 , Mary A M Rogers, Michael Buist, Sushant Govindan, Peter K Lindenauer, Sanjay Saint, Scott A Flanders
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Is statin use associated with reduced mortality after pneumonia? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Vineet Chopra et al. Am J Med. 2012 Nov.

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of statins on mortality following pneumonia.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, BIOSIS, Cochrane CENTRAL Register of Controlled Trials, Cambridge Scientific Abstracts, BIOSIS, and Scopus. Studies were included if they involved: participants ≥18 years of age; patients with community-acquired pneumonia; current statin users; and reported overall or adjusted mortality after pneumonia.

Results: Of 491 citations identified, 13 studies involving 254,950 patients met eligibility criteria. Pooled unadjusted data showed that statin use was associated with lower mortality after pneumonia (odds ratio [OR] 0.62, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.54-0.71). Pooling of adjusted data also showed reduced mortality after pneumonia (OR 0.66, 95% CI, 0.55-0.79). However, this effect was attenuated in subgroup analysis by confounders and in prospective studies.

Conclusions: Although statin use is associated with decreased mortality after pneumonia, this effect weakens in important subgroups. Only a randomized controlled study can fully explore the link between statins and pneumonia mortality.

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Comment in

  • Statin use in pneumonia.
    Young RP, Hopkins RJ. Young RP, et al. Am J Med. 2013 Jul;126(7):e11-2. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2012.12.017. Am J Med. 2013. PMID: 23787199 No abstract available.
  • The reply.
    Chopra V, Flanders SA. Chopra V, et al. Am J Med. 2013 Jul;126(7):e13. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2013.01.024. Am J Med. 2013. PMID: 23787200 No abstract available.

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