title: The Effect of Statins Use on the Risk and Outcome of Acute Bacterial Infections in Adult Patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Beyond their lipid-lowering abilities, statins have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. In view of these effects, a growing interest has emerged in the possible role of statins, in preventing or decreasing morbidity and mortality from infection.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine whether previous statin use is associated with reduced risk of acute bacterial infections and better outcome of these infections.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this historical cohort study, consecutive adult patients admitted with acute bacterial infection were enrolled. Control group were selected from adult outpatient and without history of acute bacterial infections. Acute bacterial infections included in this study were; pneumonia, acute pyelonephritis, cellulitis and sepsis with unknown origin. Data about baseline characteristics, co-morbidities and statins use of two groups was obtained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Finally 144 patients met inclusion criteria and were enrolled. Same numbers of controls were selected. Two groups were matched based on most baseline characteristics and co-morbidities. The patients' categories were as follows: pneumonia 42.3%, acute pyelonephritis 23.6%, cellulitis 16% and sepsis 18%. From all participants 29.9% of patients and 45.8% controls were statin users. There was significant association between previous statin use and reduced risk of acute bacterial infections (Mantel Haenszel Weighted Odds Ratio=0.51, 95% CI: 0.30-0.85, p=0.009). Duration of hospitalization was significantly shorter in statin users (p=0.002). Hospital mortality rate was lower (14.6%) in statins users when compared with non-users (18.8%) with significant difference (p=0.028).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prior therapy with statins is associated with considerably reduced onset of acute bacterial infections and better outcome in adult patients.
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Infectious Disease, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences , Semnan, Iran .
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nassaji
authors.affiliation: Professor of Biostatistics, Department of Community Medicine, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences , Semnan, Iran .
authors.forename: Raheb
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ghorbani
authors.affiliation: General Physician, Department of Internal Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences , Semnan, Iran .
authors.forename: Reza Kiaee
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Afshar
keywords: Acute pyelonephritis; Immunomodulatory properties; Sepsis