Benefits of statins in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients with pulmonary hypertension: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Purpose: This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the efficacy of statins in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH).

Methods: A systematic search was made of MEDLINE, Cochrane, ISI Web of Science and SCOPUS databases. Randomized clinical trials on treatment of COPD-PH with the statins, compared with placebo, were reviewed. Studies were pooled to weighted mean differences (WMD), with 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results: Five trials (enrolling 270 participants) met the inclusion criteria. Compared with placebo, the statins presented significant effects on systolic pulmonary artery pressure (WMD -4.52 mmHg; 95% CI -6.32 to -2.72 mmHg) and 6-min walk distance (6MWD) (WMD 32.46 m; 95% CI 13.63-51.29 m).

Conclusions: Statins therapy significantly improves PH and 6MWD in COPD patients with PH.

Keywords: COPD; Meta-analysis; Pulmonary hypertension; Stasins.