Statins and mortality in COPD in the COMIC study: A prospective COPD cohort study

Abstract

Background: Both chronic inflammation and cardiovascular comorbidity play an important role in the morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Statins could be a potential adjunct therapy. The additional effects of statins in COPD are however still under discussion. Aims and objectives: The aim of this study is to further investigate the effects of statin use on mortality in a well-described COPD cohort. Methods: 795 patients of the Cohort of Mortality and Inflammation in COPD (COMIC) study were divided into statin users or not. Statin use was defined as having a statin for at least 90 consecutive days after inclusion. Outcome parameter was 3-year survival, based on all-cause mortality. A sensitivity analysis was performed without patients who started a statin 3 months or more after inclusion to exclude immortal time bias. Results: Statin use, corrected for confounders, resulted in a better overall survival (corrected hazard ratio 0.70 (95% CI, 0.51 - 0.96)), but in the sensitivity analysis this effect disappeared. Conclusions: In the COMIC study statin use is not associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality in patients with COPD.