Twenty studies were included in the review (n=459,997). Sample sizes ranged from 12 to 142,175 patients. There were 11 retrospective cohort studies, six prospective cohort studies, two retrospective case-control studies and one placebo-controlled cross-over study. Three studies received the maximum MINORS score, six studies scored 20/24, 10 scored 18/24 and one scored 10/24. MINORS score was not associated with treatment effect.
Seven of nine studies of patients with sepsis, bacteraemia or multiorgan dysfunction syndrome showed a statistically significant result favouring statin use in reducing rates of sepsis, hospital-acquired bacteraemia, mortality or overall hospital mortality. One study indicated that only long-term mortality was reduced with statin use. Three of the four studies of patients with pneumonia reported a reduction in mortality and risk of developing pneumonia with statin use. Two of the four studies of patients with viral infections showed a reduction in mortality with statin use. No effect was seen in the two studies examining HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) load. Further results were reported.