Statins lower flu death risk -- study

Researchers found evidence that statins such as Lipitor or Crestor have proved effective for patients afflicted with severe influenza.

Lead researcher Meredith L. Vandermeer, MPH, from the Oregon Public Health Division in Portland said, "Statins may have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects that could reduce the risk of mortality from influenza virus infections.”

Study details
In a bid to explore the link between statins and flu-related deaths, the researchers conducted an observational study.

They tracked 3043 hospitalized adults with an average age of 70.4 years. The patients tested positive influenza virus.

Researchers analyzed data collected through the CDC's Emerging Infections Program for the 2007 to 2008 flu season.

Around 57 percent were vaccinated and 1,013 received statins before and during hospitalization.

During a 30-day follow-up period, 151 patients died.

After factoring age, race, cardiovascular, lung, and renal disease, influenza vaccination and initiation of antiviral drugs within 48 hours of admission, the researchers found that patients who took statins, were 41 percent less likely to die than those who did not receive the medication.

Need for further research
Experts, concede there are three main limitations with the findings. These include testing issues, reliance on chart data for reviewing, and possibility that people who take statins are generally more health conscious.

The authors believe there is need for further investigations to substantiate the findings of the study.

They concluded, "despite their limitations and the need for randomized controlled trials before statins can be widely promoted for the treatment of influenza, our findings suggest that statins are a promising area of exploration and could provide a useful adjunct to antiviral medications and vaccine, particularly in settings where circulating influenza virus strains are not susceptible to antiviral medications, or vaccine is in short supply or not well matched to circulating viruses."

The study is published in the 'Journal of Infectious Diseases.'