RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Impact of statins and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors on mortality of subjects hospitalised with pneumonia
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 611
OP 617
DO 10.1183/09031936.00162006
VO 31
IS 3
A1 E. M. Mortensen
A1 M. J. Pugh
A1 L. A. Copeland
A1 M. I. Restrepo
A1 J. E. Cornell
A1 A. Anzueto
A1 J. A. Pugh
YR 2008
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/31/3/611.abstract
AB Recent studies suggest that statins and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors may have beneficial effects for some types of infections. The present study aimed to examine the association of outpatient use of these medications on 30-day mortality for subjects aged >65 yrs and hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia. A retrospective national cohort study was conducted using the Department of Veterans Affairs administrative data including subjects aged ≥65 yrs hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia, and having ≥1 yr of prior Veterans Affairs outpatient care. In total, 8,652 subjects were identified with a mean age of 75 yrs, 98.6% were male, and 9.9% of subjects died within 30 days of presentation. In this cohort, 18.1% of subjects were using statins and 33.9% were using ACE inhibitors. After adjusting for potential confounders, current statin use (odds ratio (OR) 0.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.42–0.70) and ACE inhibitor use (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.68–0.89) were significantly associated with decreased 30-day mortality. Use of statins and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors prior to admission is associated with decreased mortality in subjects hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia. Randomised controlled trials are needed to examine whether the use of these medications in patients hospitalised with community-acquired pneumonia may be beneficial.