Statins Linked to Fewer Pneumonia Hospitalizations but More Flu-Like Illness in Primary Care

A U.K. cohort study of unvaccinated adults aged 65 and older found that statin initiators had a lower risk of hospitalization for pneumonia and acute respiratory infections, but not for influenza. However, in primary care settings, statin use was associated with increased risks of influenza-like illness and acute respiratory infection. The researchers suggest statins may reduce progression to severe disease but note residual confounding and differences in healthcare-seeking behavior as possible explanations.

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The study drew on nine annual patient cohorts from 2010 to 2018, using data from the U.K. Clinical Practice Research Datalink. Participants averaged their mid-70s, were mostly women, and over three-quarters were white. Comorbidities like hypertension, chronic respiratory disease, and diabetes were comparable between statin users and nonusers.

Among the 177,810 controls, there were 7,157 acute respiratory infection hospitalizations, 5,228 pneumonia