title: No significant detectable anti-infection effects of aspirin and statins in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Past studies have shown that aspirin and statins decrease the rate and severity of exacerbation, the rate of hospitalization, and mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although these studies are relatively new, there is evidence that new therapeutic strategies could prevent exacerbation of COPD.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article examines retrospectively the possibility of using aspirin and statins to prevent exacerbation and infection in patients with COPD.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients with COPD were identified from hospital charts in the Department of Internal Medicine, Saarland University Medical Center, Germany, between 2004 and 2014.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study examined 514 medical reports and secured a study population of 300 with COPD. The mean age was 69 ± 10 years (206 men, 68.7%, 95% CI, 63.4-73.9; 94 women, 31.3%, 95% CI, 26.1-36.6). The study results did not show a causal relationship between aspirin and statins and prevention of exacerbation and infection in patients with COPD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In contrast, in this study, the exacerbation and infection rates increased under medication with aspirin and statins (p = 0.008).
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Sleep Medicine, Saarland University Medical Center, Homburg/Saar, Germany.
authors: Josef
authors: J
authors: Yayan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007239:Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D001241:Aspirin
keywords: aspirin; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; exacerbation; infection; pneumonia.; statins