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The Effects of Statins on Infections after Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack: A Meta-Analysis

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  • Shao-Peng Lin
  • You-Ming Long
  • Xiao-Hui Chen

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have reported that statins can prevent infections, and these findings were ascribed to the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties of statins. However, the effects of statins on the risk of infection after stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) remain controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between statins and the risk of infection after stroke or TIA by means of a meta-analysis. Methodology and Findings: Studies were found by searching major electronic databases using key terms and restricting the results to studies published in English language and human studies. Pooled odds ratio (OR) for the association between infection and statins were analyzed using Stata software. A total of five studies that included 8,791 stroke or TIA patients (3,269 patients in the statin use group and 5,522 in the placebo group) were eligible and abstracted. Pooled analysis demonstrated that statins did not significantly affect the incidence of infection after stroke or TIA compared with a placebo (OR 0.819, 95% CI 0.582–1.151, I2 = 64.2%, p= 0.025). Sensitivity analyses showed that the removal of any single study did not significantly affect the pooled OR. Cumulative meta-analysis showed that the incidence of infection did not vary by publication year. No statistical evidence of publication bias was found among the studies selected, based on the results of Egger’s (p = 1.000) and Begg’s (p = 0.762) tests. Conclusions: This meta-analysis does not support the hypothesis that statins reduce the risk of infections in stroke or TIA patients.

Suggested Citation

  • Shao-Peng Lin & You-Ming Long & Xiao-Hui Chen, 2015. "The Effects of Statins on Infections after Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack: A Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(7), pages 1-10, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0130071
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130071
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Linda Björkhem-Bergman & Peter Bergman & Jan Andersson & Jonatan D Lindh, 2010. "Statin Treatment and Mortality in Bacterial Infections – A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 5(5), pages 1-8, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Tsung-Hsing Hung & Chih-Chun Tsai & Hsing-Feng Lee, 2019. "Statin use in cirrhotic patients with infectious diseases: A population-based study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(4), pages 1-10, April.

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