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Effect of statins on outcomes in immunosuppressed patients with bloodstream infection

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Abstract

Although it has been suggested that statins have a beneficial effect on the outcome of bloodstream infection (BSI) in immunosuppressed patients, prospective studies testing this hypothesis are lacking. We performed an observational analysis of consecutive cancer patients and transplant recipients hospitalized at two tertiary hospitals in Spain (2006–2009). The first episode of BSI occurring in statin users was compared with those occurring in non-statin users. During the study period, 668 consecutive episodes of BSI in 476 immunosuppressed patients were recorded. Underlying diseases were solid tumor (46.2%), hematologic malignancy (35.1%), and transplantation (18.7%). Fifty-nine (12.4%) patients were receiving statins at the onset of BSI. Comparing with statin non-users, patients on statin treatment were older (67.3 vs. 58.7 years; p < 0.001) and had higher frequency of comorbidities (74.6% vs. 40.6%; p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in intensive care unit admission (6.8% vs. 7.7%; p = 1) and overall mortality (15.3% vs. 24%; p = 0.13) between groups. In a multivariate analysis, prior statin use was not associated with increased survival (odds ratio [OR], 0.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.22–1.23; p = 0.14). In conclusion, prior statin use is not associated with increased survival in immunosuppressed patients with BSI. Caution is warranted in attributing beneficial effects to statin use in infections among immunocompromised patients.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, co-financed by the European Development Regional Fund “A way to achieve Europe” (ERDF), Spanish Network for the Research in Infectious Diseases (REIPI RD06/0008). Dr. D. Viasus is the recipient of a research grant from the Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Feixa Llarga s/n, 08907, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain

    D. Viasus, C. Gudiol, N. Fernández-Sabé, I. Cabello & C. Garcia-Vidal

  2. Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), University of Barcelona, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain

    J. Carratalà

  3. Department of Microbiology, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain

    M. Cisnal

  4. Department of Hematology, Institut Català d’Oncologia, Hospital Duran i Reynals, Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain

    R. Duarte & M. Antonio

Authors
  1. D. Viasus
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  2. C. Gudiol
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  3. N. Fernández-Sabé
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  4. I. Cabello
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  5. C. Garcia-Vidal
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  6. M. Cisnal
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  7. R. Duarte
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  8. M. Antonio
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  9. J. Carratalà
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Correspondence to D. Viasus.

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Viasus, D., Gudiol, C., Fernández-Sabé, N. et al. Effect of statins on outcomes in immunosuppressed patients with bloodstream infection. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 30, 77–82 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-010-1056-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10096-010-1056-2

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