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Statin Use & Increased Influenza Risk
Clin Infect Dis; ePub 2018 Feb 9; Izurieta, et al
Among older adults receiving standard-dose or high-dose influenza vaccines, statin use around the time of vaccination does not substantially affect the risk of influenza-related medical episodes, a recent study found. The retrospective cohort study identified Medicare beneficiaries aged >65 years who received high-dose (HD) or standard-dose (SD) influenza vaccines at pharmacies from 2010-2011 through 2014-2015. Among the findings:
- 1,403,651 statin users matched to nonusers.
- For statin users, the adjusted relative risk (aRR) was 1.086 for influenza-related visits and 1.096 for influenza-related hospitalization when compared to nonusers.
- Risk difference ranged from ‒0.02 to 0.23 for influenza-related visits and from ‒0.04 to 0.13 for hospitalizations, depending on season severity.
- Results were similar for HD and SD vaccines.
Izurieta HS, Chillarige Y, Kelman JA, et al. Statin use and risks of influenza-related outcomes among older adults receiving standard-dose or high-dose influenza vaccines through Medicare during 2010-2015. [Published online ahead of print February 9, 2018]. Clin Infect Dis. doi:10.1093/cid/ciy100.