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ABSTRACT: Background
Statins are prescribed to lower cholesterol, but also have anti-inflammatory properties. Some observational studies suggest that statins may reduce mortality from sepsis.Methods
Using a highly detailed administrative database, we conducted an observational cohort study of all patients aged ?18 years who received a discharge diagnosis of pneumonia from 2003-2005 at 376 hospitals. Patients with contraindications to statins, and those unable to take oral medications or discharged within 2 days were excluded. We used multivariable logistic regression and propensity matching to compare mortality among patients who did and did not receive statins on hospital day 1 or 2.Results
Of the 121,254 patients who met the inclusion criteria, median age was 74; 56% were female and 70% were white; 19% received a statin on day 1 or 2. Compared to patients who did not receive statins, statin-treated patients were less likely to be admitted to intensive care (15.7% vs 18.1%, p?ConclusionsInpatient treatment with statins is associated with a modest reduction in pneumonia mortality outside of intensive care.
SUBMITTER: Rothberg MB
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3286569 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Mar
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Rothberg Michael B MB Bigelow Carol C Pekow Penelope S PS Lindenauer Peter K PK
Journal of general internal medicine 20110813 3
<h4>Background</h4>Statins are prescribed to lower cholesterol, but also have anti-inflammatory properties. Some observational studies suggest that statins may reduce mortality from sepsis.<h4>Methods</h4>Using a highly detailed administrative database, we conducted an observational cohort study of all patients aged ≥18 years who received a discharge diagnosis of pneumonia from 2003-2005 at 376 hospitals. Patients with contraindications to statins, and those unable to take oral medications or di ...[more]