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

Abstract

AbstractThis 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.