A study published in "The Journal of Infectious Diseases"

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A study published in "The Journal of Infectious Diseases"
 
 

 
Statins may reduce hospitalization for flu death

Statins, drugs commonly used to control cholesterol levels, can be used as additional treatment of influenza and reduce the mortality of patients hospitalized for this disease, shows a study published in "The Journal of Infectious Diseases."
In this study, researchers led by Meredith L. Vandermeer, Oregon Public Health Division in Portland, USA, analyzed clinical data from adults hospitalized during 2007 and 2008 due to seasonal flu, to assess whether there was any association between taking statins and deaths associated with influenza infection.
The study found that among 3,043 patients hospitalized due to influenza infection, which was confirmed through laboratory testing, 33% had taken statins before or during the hospitalization. After having set several factors, the researchers found that patients were not treated with statins had nearly twice the risk of dying from the flu, compared with those who had undergone the treatment.
"Our study showed that taking statins was associated with decreased risk of death in patients hospitalized due to influenza infection, after having taken into account age, race, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, influenza immunization and initiation dosing of antivirals within 48 hours after admission, "the study authors revealed in a press release.
The authors stated that since this is an observational study, there may be factors that have not been found in the medical record of patients may have confounded the results. On the other hand, the researchers did not control the amount of statins taken by patients during the total period of hospitalization.
The randomized controlled clinical trials are required to be performed to clarify the potential benefits of statins in the treatment of influenza infection, the researchers conclude, and "will consider other parameters such as dose response, their use in younger patients and the identification of class of statins more effective. "



Source: Mail the AzoresUndo edits