PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - E. M. Mortensen
AU  - M. J. Pugh
AU  - L. A. Copeland
AU  - M. I. Restrepo
AU  - J. E. Cornell
AU  - A. Anzueto
AU  - J. A. Pugh
TI  - Impact of statins and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors on mortality of subjects hospitalised with pneumonia
AID  - 10.1183/09031936.00162006
DP  - 2008 Mar 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - 611--617
VI  - 31
IP  - 3
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/31/3/611.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/31/3/611.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2008 Mar 01; 31
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.