Candidemia outcomes not improved with statin use.
Candidemia is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. As statins interfere with yeast membrane synthesis, we assessed whether use of statins during candidemia may cause differences in clinical outcomes. A retrospective review of 124 candidemia episodes during 2003-2008 in which all-cause and attributable mortality, length of stay and level of care were compared for patients who received and those who did not receive statins. A total of 124 candidemia events were observed involving 14 patients on statins and 110 without statins. Overall mortality in candidemia cases was 46%, but only 2% was attributed to candidemia. No differences were observed in clinical outcomes for the two groups of patients. During the last 2-year period of our study, there were higher rates of candidemia caused by non-C. albicans Candida spp., particularly those due to C. glabrata and C. parapsilosis. In conclusion, statin use during candidemia did not alter mortality, length of stay, or intensive care requirement of our patients, despite higher rates of non-C. albicans Candida species isolated during the last 2 years of our study.
Infectious Diseases Section, VA Medical Center and George Washington University, Washington, DC 20422, USA.
Meredith L
ML
Welch
Angelike P
AP
Liappis
Virginia L
VL
Kan
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002175:Candida / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification; D058387:Candidemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000935:Antifungal Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors