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Meta-Analysis
. 2015 Nov 10:5:16461.
doi: 10.1038/srep16461.

The effect of statins on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation and mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational research

Chao Cao  1 , Yinfang Wu  1 , Zhiwei Xu  1 , Dan Lv  1 , Chao Zhang  1 , Tianwen Lai  1 , Wen Li  1 , Huahao Shen  1   2
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

The effect of statins on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation and mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational research

Chao Cao et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

The objective of this study is to assess whether statin use is associated with beneficial effects on COPD outcomes. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of all available studies describing the association between statin use and COPD mortality, exacerbations and cardiovascular events. Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched, with no restrictions. The hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was estimated. Fifteen studies with a total of 238,459 patients were included. Nine articles provided data on all-cause mortality (124,543 participants), and they gave a HR of 0.62 (95% CI 0.52 to 0.73). Three studies provided data on cancer mortality (90,077 participants), HR 0.83 (0.65 to 1.08); four studies on COPD mortality (88,767 participants), HR 0.48 (0.23 to 0.99); and three studies on cardiovascular mortality (90,041 participants), HR 0.93 (0.50 to 1.72). Six articles provided data on COPD exacerbation with or without hospitalization (129,796 participants), HR 0.64 (0.55 to 0.75). Additionally, the use of statins was associated with a significant reduction risk of myocardial infarction, but not for stroke. Our systematic review showed a clear benefit of statins in patients with COPD.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Details of literature search and study selection.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Forest plot showing effect of statins on all-cause mortality.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Forest plot showing effect of statins on COPD exacerbation with or without hospitalization.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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