Effects of statin therapy in hospitalized adult COVID-19 patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 is associated with endothelial activation and systemic inflammation; consequently, statins can be used in its treatment as they have anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, and profibrinolytic properties and may interfere with COVID-19 viral entry into cells through disruption of cell membrane lipid rafts. OBJECTIVE: We performed a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials that compared statin therapy to placebo or to standard care in adult patients hospitalized for COVID-19. METHODS: We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases for all-cause mortality, hospitalization duration, and admission to the intensive care unit. RESULTS: Of the 228 studies reviewed, four studies were included, with a total of 1,231 patients, of whom 610 (49.5%) were treated with statins. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality (odds ratio [OR] 0.96; 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 0.61-1.51; p=0.86; I(2)=13%), duration of hospitalization (mean difference [MD] 0.21; 95%CI: -1.74-2.16; p=0.83; I(2)=92%), intensive care unit admission (OR= 3.31; 95%CI: 0.13-87.1; p=0.47; I2=84%), need for mechanical ventilation (OR= 1.03; 95%CI: 0.36-2.94; p=0.95; I(2)=0%), or increase in liver enzyme levels (OR= 0.58; 95%CI: 0.27-1.25; p=0.16; I(2)=0%) between patients treated with or without statin therapy. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that in adult patients hospitalized with COVID-19, statin therapy results in no difference in clinical outcomes when compared to outcomes by placebo or standard of care. Prospero database registration: (www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero) under the number CRD42022338283.