IMPACT OF STATINS ON THE CLINICAL COURSE OF COVID-19-ASSOCIATED PNEUMONIA IN UNVACCINATED PATIENTS WITH ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION

Abstract

The aim: To assess the impact of statins on the severity and lethality rate in hypertensive patients with COVID-19-associated pneumonia. Materials and methods: 106 unvaccinated hypertensive patients were enrolled in the study. 29 (27.4%) patients took statins. Results: Statins were not associated with reduced risks of lethality (relative risk (RR), 0.24; [95%CI, 0.03–1.79], p=0.16), decline in oxygen saturation <92% during the inpatient stay (RR, 0.70 [95%CI, 0.39-1.28], p=0.25) and need for supplemental oxygen (RR, 0.84; [95%CI, 0.51–1.37], p=0.48). There was no significant difference in the median length of in-hospital stay between the patients taking statins (14.0 [10.0–15.0] days) and patients, which didn’t take statins (13.0 [9.0–18.0] days) (p=0.76). However, subgroup analysis showed that statins reduced the risk of decline in oxygen saturation <92% in patients aged 65 years and older with body mass index $ 25.0 kg/m2 (RR, 0.33 [95%CI, 0.11–0.92], p=0.03). Conclusions: Statins didn’t a#ect the severity and lethality rate in hypertensive patients with COVID-19-associated pneumonia. Subgroup analysis showed that statin use was associated with a decrease in morbidity of patients aged 65 years and older with BMI $25.0 kg/m2 hospitalized for COVID-19-associated pneumonia.