Statins may reduce death risk in sepsis patients — Study
Statins may reduce death risk in sepsis patients — Study
Statins, typically used to lower blood pressure may also help lower the risk of death among patients suffering from deadly sepsis by 39 per cent, according to a study on Friday
NEW DELHI — Statins, typically used to lower blood pressure may also help
lower the risk of death among patients suffering from deadly sepsis by 39 per
cent, according to a study on Friday.
Sepsis occurs when the immune system overreacts to an
infection, causing such a strong inflammatory response that vital organs begin
to shut down. It is life-threatening, as in about 15 per cent of cases, sepsis
worsens into septic shock, characterised by dangerously low blood pressure and
reduced blood flow to tissues.
The risk of death from septic shock is even higher,
between 30 per cent and 40 per cent.
The earlier patients with sepsis are treated, the better
their prospects. Typically, they receive antibiotics, intravenous fluids, and
vasopressors to raise blood pressure.
However, the large cohort study published in the journal
Frontiers in Immunology has shown for the first time that supplementary
treatment with statins could boost their chances of survival.
“Our large, matched cohort study found that treatment
with statins was associated with a 39 per cent lower death rate for critically
ill patients with sepsis when measured over 28 days after hospital admission,”
said Dr Caifeng Li, Associate Professor at Tianjin Medical University General
Hospital in China.
Statins are best known for their protective effect
against cardiovascular disease, which functions by lowering ‘bad’ LDL
cholesterol and triglycerides, and raising ‘good’ HDL cholesterol.
“Statins have anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory,
antioxidative, and antithrombotic properties. They may help mitigate excessive
inflammatory response, restore endothelial function, and show potential
antimicrobial activities,” said Li.
The researchers built a statistical model for the study
and analysed 6,070 critical patients who received statins and another 6,070 who
did not.
The results showed that the 28-day all-cause mortality
rate was 14.3 per cent in the statin group and 23.4 per cent in the no-statin
group, indicating a relative reduction of 39 per cent.
However, the duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) or
continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) increased by an average of 3 hours
and 26 hours, respectively, in the group receiving statins. This prolonged
duration of MV and CRRT in the statin group may be attributed to a trade-off
between 28-day all-cause mortality and the duration of MV or CRRT.
“These results strongly suggest that statins may provide
a protective effect and improve clinical outcomes for patients with sepsis,” Li
said.
