Statins are a type of drug prescribed to lower cholesterol. Recent studies suggest that they may also have beneficial effects of respiratory outcomes, including pneumonia. However, the evidence regarding these potential benefits is inconclusive and, to our knowledge, no study has examined whether these potential effects differ by the statin strength or potency. The objective of this study is therefore to determine if the prescription of higher potency (i.e., stronger) statins results in a greater reduction in the rate of hospitalization for community-acquired pneumonia than the prescription of lower potency statins. This study will provide clinically important evidence regarding the potential benefits and harms of higher potency statins and their potential use to prevent pneumonia.
With emphasize on more aggressive lipid-lowering therapy, there is a need for an assessment of the potential benefits and harms of higher potency statins relative to lower potency statins. This study is to compare the rate of incident hospitalization for community-acquired pneumonia (HCAP) among patients prescribed higher potency statins to that of patients prescribed lower potency statins. We will conduct a nested case-control analysis of a retrospective population-based cohort using data extracted from the United Kingdom’s Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) and Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) between April 1st, 1998 and October 31st, 2011. From our cohort of new users of statins, cases will be defined as the HCAP using a previous validated diagnosis, and 10 controls will be matched up to each case on duration of follow-up, cohort entry date, age, and sex. Exposure to lower or higher potency statins will be measured and compared between cases and controls. We will use conditional logistic regression to estimate odds ratios and corresponding 95% confidence intervals.
Samy Suissa - Chief Investigator - Sir Mortimer B Davis Jewish General Hospital
Kristian Filion - Corresponding Applicant - McGill University
Ju-Young Shin - Collaborator - McGill University
Maria Eberg - Collaborator - McGill University
Pierre Ernst - Collaborator - McGill University
HES Admitted Patient Care