EFFECT OF STATIN IN HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS WITH COVID 19

Background

Currently, the benefits use of statins in patients with COVID-19 is not well established. There are some studies that suggest its use may be associated with a less severe viral infection and might decrease mortality. The role of statin in cardiac arrest patients is not clear.

Methods

Our study included patients admitted to our hospital between March 1 and July 1, 2020, who were COVID positive. We stratified the patients into 2 groups, the ones treated with a statin and the ones who did not receive treatment with a statin.

Results

A total of 327 patients were included in our study. Of those patients 116 (34.5%) were on a statin and 211 (64.5%) were not on a statin. Among statin participants, the average age was 65.1 years, 41 (35.3%) were females and 90 (77.6%) were African Americans. 21 (18.1%) had a cardiac arrest and 22 (19%) died during that hospitalization. After adjusting for relevant clinical factors, patients who were on statins had significantly decreased odds of death (adjusted odds ratio: 0.338; 95% CI: 0.115 to 0.997; p=0.049). In this group of patients, age was significantly associated with mortality (adjusted odds ratio: 1.034; 95% CI: 1.006 to 1.061; p=0.015); amiodarone use (adjusted odds ratio:; 95% CI: 1.006 to 1.061; p=0.015) and aspirin use (adjusted odds ratio: 8.918; 95% CI: 2.899 to 27.436; p=0.0001) were also associated with increased odds of death. The use of statin was not significant associated with cardiac arrest (adjusted odds ratio: 0.472; 95% CI: 0.170 to 1.307; p=0.149).

Conclusion

In this study, patients hospitalized with COVID-19 who received statins had significantly less rates of deaths compared to the group who did not receive statin. The patients with COVID-19 who receive statins, had less rates of cardiac arrest, however this was not significant. These findings add information to the current growing literature in patients with COVID-19. Further studies need to be done.