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Statin use in asthmatics on inhaled corticosteroids is associated with decreased risk of emergency department visits.
Curr Med Res Opin. 2013 Nov 13;
Authors: Tse SM, Charland SL, Stanek E, Herrera V, Goldfarb S, Litonjua AA, Weiss ST, Wu AC
Abstract
Abstract Objective: Statins are hypothesized to have beneficial effects in asthma management through their pleiotropic anti-inflammatory effects. Several studies have examined this relationship, but have yielded conflicting results. This study investigates the effect of statin use on asthma-related hospitalizations and/or emergency department (ED) visits, and whether this relationship varies by concomitant inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) in a large cohort of asthma patients. Methods: Subjects with asthma, a recent history of asthma exacerbation, and who were 18 years or older were selected from the population-based Medco Health Solutions administrative database over a one-year period. Prescription claims for statins and asthma medications, and asthma-related hospitalizations and/or ED visits were ascertained over a 12-month follow-up period. Subjects were stratified into two groups based on their ICS use. Asthma-related hospitalization and/or asthma-related ED visit were assessed over a 12-month follow-up period. Results: A total of 3,747 ICS users and 2,905 non-ICS users were included in this study. Statin users represented 21% of ICS users and 11% of non-users. Among ICS users, statin use was significantly associated with decreased odds of asthma-related ED visits (OR=0.77, 95%CI 0.64-0.94, p=0.008), but not with asthma-related hospitalizations (OR=1.09, 95%CI 0.92-1.30, p=0.31). No significant associations were found among non-ICS users (for asthma-related ED visits: OR=0.92, 95%CI 0.57-1.49, p=0.73; asthma-related hospitalizations: OR=1.10, 95%CI 0.85-1.41, p=0.48). The statistical interactions between ICS and statin use on asthma-related hospitalizations and/or ED visits were not significant. Conclusion: Statin use is associated with fewer ED visits in asthma patients who are using ICS. Word count: 245.
PMID: 24219830 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]