Statin influence on influenza mortality
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Seasonal influenza is a virus which causes significant morbidity and mortality annually. The virus has the capability of mutating frequently and is able to avoid prior immune system defenses from previous infection or vaccination. This frequent variation of the virus and its prevalence pose significant public health threat.
Statins are a class of medications traditionally used for atherosclerotic heart disease and elevated cholesterol. Though these medications have been very effective in managing these disease states, there is evidence that the drugs may also have multiple effects, including a proposed anti-inflammatory effect and effect on virus production.
LITERATURE REVIEW FINDINGS: Previous research has shown that statins may have an effect on inflammation. Influenza can lead to a systemic inflammatory response and statins have been proposed as a potential treatment in these situations. There have been studies assessing this, however, there is a gap in the research. Particularly, there are not randomized control trials which compare a large, diverse cohort of patients who were on statins and how these patients would be managed while critically ill with influenza. The exact mechanism of this potential reduction in mortality is currently unknown.
PROPOSED PROJECT: The goal of the proposed double blinded randomized control study is to determine the effect of continuing statin therapy for patients admitted to the hospital. The study will aim to include an equal number of men and women and will include a total of 7188 patients over three years in Boston and New York City hospitals. The study will include patients previously on a statin and diagnosed by PCR with influenza. The data will then be compared based upon CFR at 15- and 30-day mortality, while also assessing IL-6 levels in serum. This will be able to further elucidate the mechanism of potential reduction in mortality.
CONCLUSIONS: The conclusions of this study will be to determine reduction in mortality from influenza for patients that are taking a statin. This will also be useful in predicting outcomes of patients being admitted with influenza. The study will also be able to further elucidate the mechanism of the potential reduction in mortality through assessment of inflammatory markers, which could be informative for future studies.
SIGNIFICANCE: The public health implications of this study would be significant in reducing influenza mortality around the world, and allow for better access to treatment worldwide. This could serve as an important tool in management of future pandemics and epidemics caused my influenza.
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Attribution 4.0 International