Reduced Flu Mortality Linked to Statin Use

PHILADELPHIA — Patients taking a statin at the time they were hospitalized for an influenza infection were significantly less likely to die while in the hospital or immediately after, compared with their counterparts who were not on a statin, in an observational study of 2,800 patients.

The study used data collected during the 2007–2008 flu season by the Emerging Infections Program Hospitalized Influenza Surveillance System. This program collected data on laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalizations in 10 states, representing 7% of the U.S. population. The study reviewed records for 2,800 patients hospitalized with influenza, of whom 801 used a statin while in the hospital.

During their time in the hospital and the 30 days following hospitalization, the mortality rate was 3.2% among the 1,999 patients who did not take a statin, and 2.1% among statin users. A multivariable model that adjusted for differences between these two groups found that patients taking a statin had a statistically significant 54% reduced risk for death, reported Meredith Vandermeer, an influenza surveillance epidemiologist with the Oregon Public Health Division in Portland.

“This is the first study to look for a relationship between statin use and death in patients hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza,” Ms. Vandermeer said. She speculated that the finding might reflect the anti-inflammatory effect of statins, and suggested that statins are a “possible useful adjunct to antiviral medications and vaccines” for treating influenza infection.

She also cautioned that the study couldn't control for all variables that might have contributed to the effect, and that further study is needed. “We are not saying that patients hospitalized for influenza should be treated with a statin.”

This “probably means that if you are on a statin for your cholesterol, there may be some extra benefits,” said Dr. Andrew Pavia, a professor at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City.