Eleven RCTs were included (n=30,947 participants). Ten studies were double-blinded and were judged to be at low risk of bias. Withdrawal rates, where reported, ranged from 1.0% to 44.2%. All studies used intention-to-treat analyses. Mean follow-up was 3.3 years.
Statin use was not associated with a decreased risk of infection-related adverse events (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.05, I2=5.5%; seven RCTs) and infection-related mortality (RR 0.97, 95% CI: 0.83 to 1.13, I2=18.8%, 8 RCTs).
A sensitivity analysis that excluded the study that lacked double blinding did not significantly alter the results for infection-related mortality.