Statins in hospitalized COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

J Med Virol. 2023 Jun;95(6):e28823. doi: 10.1002/jmv.28823.

Abstract

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the efficacy of statins in hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). A systematic search was made of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and clinicaltrials.gov, without language restrictions. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on treatment of COVID-19 with statins, compared with placebo or standard of care, were reviewed. Seven RCTs (enrolling 1830 participants) met the inclusion criteria. There was no statistically significant difference in all-cause mortality (risk ratio [RR]: 0.92, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.75-1.13), length of hospital stay (weighted mean difference: -0.21 days, 95% CI: -1.01 to 0.59 days), intensive care unit (ICU) admission (RR: 1.84, 95% CI: 0.45-7.55), and mechanical ventilation (RR: 1.09, 95% CI: 0.70-1.70) between the two groups. Statins failed to reduce mortality, ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, and length of stay in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Statins probably should not be used routinely in COVID-19 patients.

Keywords: SARS coronavirus; antiviral agents; coronavirus.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Systematic Review
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors* / therapeutic use
  • Intensive Care Units
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Respiration, Artificial

Substances

  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors