Clinical outcomes and survival analysis of Remdesivir as a treatment option for moderate to severe COVID-19 patients.

Abstract Background: Remdesivir is a broad-spectrum antiviral approved as promising medicine worldwide for deadly pandemic COVID-19 disease. The debate of its efficacy is interesting between different studies with consideration of several factors. We planned this study to evaluate a huge clinical outcome (primary composite outcome) of mortality rate, need for MV, and escalation of care among Remdesivir (RDV) and non-Remdesivir (NoRDV)groups.Methods: Patients with a PCR - confirmed diagnosis of moderate and severe COVID-19 were observed retrospectively as two comparative groups, before and after including remdesivir in the treatment protocol, from August 2020 to February 2021.Result: From 509 hospitalized patients; 35% received Remdesivir among them 64% were severe patients. Median age, 59 years, was equal in both groups, and there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding gender, baseline characteristics, and co-morbidities. Unlike, the median hospital length of stay was lower among the RDV group (8 days) than the NoRDV (9 days), P= 0.004.The composite outcome occurred in 17.7% in RDV and 22.2% in NoRDV but the difference was statistically insignificant (p-value 0.289). Adjusted logistic regression showed a non-significant lower association of the composite outcome with RDV use (OR 0.623, 95CI% 0.37-1.02), and a significant reduction occurred in patients <60 years old (OR 0.39, 95%CI 0.17 – 0.83). However, survival analysis for mortality, MV, and transfer to a higher level revealed insignificant differences in the median time between groups. Subgroup analyses showed that RDV utilization had a non-significant effect on the risk of all three outcomes across different groups. Conclusion: Despite controlling all patient characteristics, treatment with RDV did not show any improved impact on patient outcomes over other antivirals and standard care. There is a pressing need for further studies to explore and evaluate new therapeutic approaches or combinations.

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2005. Successful Implementation of a Procalcitonin Algorithm Associated with Reduction in Antibiotic Days

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofz360.1685 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. S672-S673

Author(s):

John B McCoury ◽

Randolph V Fugit ◽

Mary T Bessesen

Keyword(s):

Patient Characteristics ◽

Hospital Length ◽

Hospital Length Of Stay ◽

Categorical Variables ◽

Successful Implementation ◽

Continuous Variables ◽

Chi Square ◽

Clinician Training ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Mortality Table

Abstract Background Randomized controlled trials of procalcitonin (PCT)-based algorithms for antibacterial therapy have been shown to reduce antimicrobial use and improve survival. Translation of PCT algorithms to clinical settings has often been unsuccessful. Methods We implemented a PCT algorithm, supported by focus groups prior to introduction of the PCT test in April 2016 and clinician training on the PCT algorithm for testing and antimicrobial management after test roll-out. The standard PCT algorithm period (SPAP) was defined as October 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018. The antimicrobial stewardship team (AST) initiated an AST-supported PCT algorithm (ASPA) in August 2018. The AST prospectively evaluated patients admitted to ICU for sepsis and ordered PCT per algorithm if the primary medical team had not ordered them. The ASPA period was defined as October 1, 2018–March 31, 2019. The AST conducted concurrent review and feedback for all antibiotic orders during both periods, using PCT result when available. We compared patient characteristics and outcomes between the two periods. The primary outcome was adherence to the PCT algorithm, with subcomponents of appropriate PCT orders and antimicrobial discontinuation. Secondary outcomes were total antibiotic days, excess antibiotic days avoided, ICU and hospital length of stay (LOS), 30-day readmission and mortality. Continuous variables were analyzed with Student t-test. Categorical variables were analyzed with chi-square or Mann–Whitney test, as appropriate. Results There were 35 cases in the SPAP cohort and 57 cases in the ASPA cohort. There were no differences in demographics or infection site (Table 1). Baseline PCT was ordered in 57% of the SPAP cohort and 90% of the ASPA cohort (P = 0.0006) (Table 2). Follow-up PCT was performed in 23% of SPAP and 76% of ASPA (P < 0.0001). Antibiotics were discontinued per algorithm in 2/35 (7%) in the SPAP cohort and 25/57 (44%) in the ASPA cohort (P < 0.0001). Total antibiotic days was 7 (IQR 4–10) in the SPAP cohort and 5 (IQR 2–7) in the ASPA cohort (P = 0.02). There was no significant difference in LOS, ICU LOS, 30-day readmission, or mortality (Table 4). Conclusion A PCT algorithm successfully implemented by an AST was associated with a significant decrease in total antibiotic days. There were no differences in mortality or LOS. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

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Ready for the Frontline: Is Early Thoracoscopic Decortication the New Standard of Care for Advanced Pneumonia with Empyema?

The American Surgeon ◽

10.1177/000313480607200806 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 72 (8) ◽

pp. 688-693 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Adam M. Suchar ◽

Amer H. Zureikat ◽

Loretto Glynn ◽

Mindy B. Statter ◽

Jongin Lee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pleural Fluid ◽

Surgical Outcome ◽

Standard Of Care ◽

Hospital Length ◽

Hospital Length Of Stay ◽

P Value ◽

X Rays ◽

Necrotizing Pneumonia ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Student’S T

Video-assisted thoracoscopic decortication (VATD) has been established as an effective and potentially less morbid alternative to open thoracotomy for the management of empyema. However, the timing and role of VATD for advanced pneumonia with empyema is still controversial. In assessing surgical outcome, the authors reviewed their VATD experience in children with empyema or empyema with necrotizing pneumonia. The charts of 42 children who underwent VATD at our institution between July 2001 and July 2005 were retrospectively reviewed for surgical outcome. For purposes of analysis, patients were cohorted into four classes with increasing severity of pneumonia: 1 (-) intraoperative pleural fluid cultures, (-) necrotizing pneumonia, 18 (43%); 2 (+) pleural fluid cultures, (-) necrotizing pneumonia, 10 (24%); 3 (-) pleural fluid cultures, (+) necrotizing pneumonia, 6 (14%); 4 (+) pleural fluid cultures, (+) necrotizing pneumonia, 8 (19%). A P value of <0.05 via Student's t test or Fischer's exact analysis was considered an indicator of significant difference in the comparison of group outcomes. VATD was successfully completed in all 42 patients with no mortality and without significant morbidity (82% had less than 20 cc blood loss). There was found to be no significant difference (p = NS) in time to surgical discharge (removal of chest tube) among all groups. Hospital length of stay postsurgery was found to be significantly increased between 1 and 4 (6 days vs 9 days; P = 0.038). 14/14 (100%) of children with necrotizing pneumonia were found to have evidence of lung parenchymal preservation with improved aeration on follow-up CT scan and/or chest x-rays. The authors conclude that early VATD in children with advanced pneumonia with empyema is indicated to avoid unnecessarily lengthy hospitalization and prolonged intravenous antibiotic therapy. Furthermore, early VATD can be safely performed in various stages of advanced pneumonia with empyema, promoting lung salvage, and accelerating clinical recovery.

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Impact of Nasal Swabs on Empiric Treatment of Respiratory Tract Infections (INSERT-RTI)

Pharmacy ◽

10.3390/pharmacy8020101 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (2) ◽

pp. 101

Author(s):

Vanessa Huffman ◽

Diana Carolina Andrade ◽

Jared Ham ◽

Kyle Brown ◽

Leonid Melnitsky ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Tract ◽

Respiratory Tract Infections ◽

Hospital Length ◽

Primary Objective ◽

Hospital Length Of Stay ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Nasal Swabs ◽

Before And After ◽

The Difference ◽

Tract Infections

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) polymerase-chain-reaction nasal swabs (PCRNS) are a rapid diagnostic tool with a high negative predictive value. A PCRNS plus education “bundle” was implemented to inform clinicians on the utility of PCRNS for anti-MRSA therapy de-escalation in respiratory tract infections (RTI). The study included patients started on vancomycin with a PCRNS order three months before and after bundle implementation. The primary objective was the difference in duration of anti-MRSA therapy (DOT) for RTI. Secondary objectives included hospital length of stay (LOS), anti-MRSA therapy reinitiation, 30-day readmission, in-hospital mortality, and cost. We analyzed 62 of 110 patients screened, 20 in the preintervention and 42 in the postintervention arms. Mean DOT decreased after bundle implementation by 30.3 h (p = 0.039); mean DOT for patients with a negative PCRNS decreased by 39.7 h (p = 0.014). Median cost was lower after intervention [USD$51.69 versus USD$75.30 (p < 0.01)]. No significant difference in LOS, mortality, or readmission existed. The bundle implementation decreased vancomycin therapy and cost without negatively impacting patient outcomes.

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Outcomes of Total versus Partial Colectomy in Fulminant Clostridium Difficile Colitis. A Propensity Matched Analysis.

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1093539/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nasim Ahmed ◽

YenHong Kuo

Keyword(s):

Clostridium Difficile ◽

Univariate Analysis ◽

Length Of Hospital Stay ◽

Hospital Length ◽

Hospital Length Of Stay ◽

P Value ◽

Improvement Program ◽

Discharge Disposition ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Partial Colectomy

Abstract BackgroundThe Total Abdominal Colectomy (TAC) is the recommended procedure for Fulminant Clostridium Difficile Colitis (FCDC), however, occasionally, FCDC is also treated with partial colectomies. The purpose of the study was to identify the outcomes of partial colectomy in FCDC cases.MethodThe National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was accessed and eligible patients from 2012 through 2016 were reviewed. Patients 18 years and older who were diagnosed with FCDC and who underwent colectomies were included in the study. Patients’ demography, clinical characteristics, comorbidities, mortality, morbidities, length of hospital stay and discharge disposition were compared between the group who underwent partial colectomy and the group who underwent TAC. Univariate analysis followed by propensity matching were performed. A p value of <0.05 is considered as statistically significant. ResultsOut of 491 patients who qualified for the study, 93 (18.94%) patients underwent partial colectomy. The pair matched analysis showed no significant difference in patients’ characteristics and comorbidities in the two groups. There was no significant difference found in mortality between the two groups (30.1% vs. 30.15, P>0.99). There were no differences found in the median [95% CI] hospital length of stay [LOS] (23 days [19-31] vs. 21 [17-25], P=0.30), post-operative complications (P>0.05), and discharged disposition to home (43.1% vs. 33.8%) or transfer to rehab (21.55 vs. 12.3%, P=0.357) between the TAC and partial colectomy groups.Conclusion The overall 30 days mortality remains very high in FCDC. Partial colectomy did not increase risk of mortality or morbidities and LOS.

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Perbedaan Penggunaan Antikoagulan K2EDTA DAN K3EDTA Terhadap Hasil Pemeriksaan Indeks Eritrosit

Jurnal Laboratorium Khatulistiwa ◽

10.30602/jlk.v1i2.147 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 114

Author(s):

Wahdaniah Wahdaniah ◽

Sri Tumpuk

Keyword(s):

Screening Test ◽

Venous Blood ◽

The Body ◽

Ethylene Diamine ◽

P Value ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetate ◽

The Difference ◽

Index Value

Abstract: Routine blood examination is the earliest blood test or screening test to determine the diagnosis of an abnormality. Blood easily froze if it is outside the body and can be prevented by the addition of anticoagulants, one of which Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetate (EDTA). Currently available vacuum tubes containing EDTA anticoagulants in the form of K2EDTA and K3EDTA. K3EDTA is usually a salt that has better stability than other EDTA salts because it shows a pH approaching a blood pH of about 6.4. The purpose of this research is to know the difference of erythrocyte index results include MCH, MCV and MCHC using K3EDTA anticoagulant with K2EDTA. This research is a cross sectional design. This study used venous blood samples mixed with K2EDTA anticoagulant and venous blood mixed with K3EDTA anticoagulants, each of 30 samples. Data were collected and analyzed using paired different test. Based on data analysis that has been done on MCH examination, p value <0,05 then there is a significant difference between samples with K3EDTA anticoagulant with K2EDTA to erythrocyte index value. Then on the examination of MCV and MCHC obtained p value <0.05 then there is no significant difference between samples with K3EDTA anticoagulant with K2EDTA to erythrocyte index value.Abstrak: Pemeriksaan darah rutin merupakan pemeriksaan darah yang paling awal atau screening test untuk mengetahui diagnosis suatu kelainan. Darah mudah membeku jika berada diluar tubuh dan bisa dicegah dengan penambahan antikoagulan, salah satunya Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetate (EDTA). Dewasa ini telah tersedia tabung vakum yang sudah berisi antikoagulan EDTA dalam bentuk K2EDTA dan K3EDTA. K3EDTA biasanya berupa garam yang mempunyai stabilitas yang lebih baik dari garam EDTA yang lain karena menunjukkan pH yang mendekati pH darah yaitu sekitar 6,4. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui perbedaan hasil indeks eritrosit meliputi MCH, MCV dan MCHC menggunakan antikoagulan K3EDTA dengan K2EDTA. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian dengan desain cross sectional. Penelitian ini menggunakan sampel darah vena yang dicampur dengan antikoagulan K2EDTA dan darah vena yang dicampur dengan antikoagulan K3EDTA, masing-masing sebanyak 30 sampel. Data dikumpulkan dan dianalisis menggunakan uji beda berpasangan. Berdasarkan analisis data yang telah dilakukan pada pemeriksaan MCH didapatkan nilai p < 0,05 maka ada perbedaan yang signifikan antara sampel dengan antikoagulan K3EDTA dengan K2EDTA terhadap nilai indeks eritrosit. Kemudian pada pemeriksaan MCV dan MCHC didapatkan nilai p < 0,05 maka tidak ada perbedaan yang signifikan antara sampel dengan antikoagulan K3EDTA dengan K2EDTA terhadap nilai indeks eritrosit.

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Mortality after cardiopulmonary resuscitation on a medical ICU

Wiener klinische Wochenschrift ◽

10.1007/s00508-021-01831-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Richard Rezar ◽

Bernhard Wernly ◽

Michael Haslinger ◽

Clemens Seelmaier ◽

Philipp Schwaiger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation ◽

Neurological Outcome ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Cerebral Performance Category ◽

Hospital Length ◽

Hospital Length Of Stay ◽

Study Endpoint ◽

Primary Study ◽

Postresuscitation Care ◽

Significant Difference

Summary Background Performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and postresuscitation care in the intensive care unit (ICU) are standardized procedures; however, there is evidence suggesting sex-dependent differences in clinical management and outcome variables after cardiac arrest (CA). Methods A prospective analysis of patients who were hospitalized at a medical ICU after CPR between December 2018 and March 2020 was conducted. Exclusion criteria were age < 18 years, hospital length of stay < 24 h and traumatic CA. The primary study endpoint was mortality after 6 months and the secondary endpoint neurological outcome assessed by cerebral performance category (CPC). Differences between groups were calculated by using U‑tests and χ2-tests, for survival analysis both univariate and multivariable Cox regression were fitted. Results A total of 106 patients were included and the majority were male (71.7%). No statistically significant difference regarding 6‑month mortality between sexes could be shown (hazard risk, HR 0.68, 95% confidence interval, CI 0.35–1.34; p = 0.27). Neurological outcome was also similar between both groups (CPC 1 88% in both sexes after 6 months; p = 1.000). There were no statistically significant differences regarding general characteristics, pre-existing diseases, as well as the majority of clinical and laboratory parameters or measures performed on the ICU. Conclusion In a single center CPR database no statistically significant sex-specific differences regarding post-resuscitation care, survival and neurological outcome after 6 months were observed.

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FC 068QUALITY OF LIFE OVER TIME IN OLDER MEN AND WOMEN WITH ADVANCED CKD - RESULTS FROM THE EQUAL STUDY

Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation ◽

10.1093/ndt/gfab122.002 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Nicholas Chesnaye ◽

Yvette Meuleman ◽

Esther De Rooij ◽

Friedo W Dekker ◽

Marie Evans ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Harmful Effect ◽

Patient Characteristics ◽

P Value ◽

Joint Models ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Linear Interaction ◽

Men And Women ◽

Negative Effect ◽

The Difference ◽

Over Time

Abstract Background and Aims Differences between the sexes are apparent in the epidemiology of CKD. Cross-sectional studies show that women consistently report a poorer health-related quality of life (QoL) than men, however, longitudinal studies are lacking. Here we investigate the sex-specific evolution of QoL over time in advanced CKD. As a secondary aim, we explore the sex-specific determinants of QoL. Method EQUAL is an observational prospective cohort study in stages 4 and 5 CKD patients ≥65 years not on dialysis with an incident estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 20 ml/min/1.73m². Data on QoL (measured using the RAND-36), clinical and demographic patient characteristics were collected between April 2012 and September 2020. QoL trajectories were modelled by sex using linear mixed models, and joint models were applied to deal with informative censoring. We followed patients until death or dialysis initiation. Results We included 5151 QoL measurements in 1416 patients over a total of 1986 person years of follow-up. Overall, the physical component summary (PCS) declined with 2.0 (95% CI 1.4-2.6) points and the mental component summary (MCS) by 2.4 (95% CI 1.8-3.0) points per year. Although women had overall lower QoL scores, figure 1 demonstrates that PCS and MCS declined more than twice as fast in men (PCS: 2.4 per year, 95% CI 1.7 – 3.1, MCS: 2.9 per year, 95% CI 2.2 – 3.6) compared with women (PCS: 1.1 per year, 95% CI -0.2 – 2.0, MCS: 1.5 per year, 95% CI 0.5 – 2.4). We identified a non-linear interaction effect between sex and eGFR levels on QoL, demonstrating a stronger negative effect of decreased eGFR on both PCS (p=0.02) and MCS (p=0.04) in men compared with women. Subsequent adjustment for renal decline attenuated the difference in rate of QoL decline between men and women (difference after adjustment; PCS: 1.1, 95% CI -0.1 – 2.2, MCS: 1.2, 95% 0.0 – 2.3). In univariable analyses, higher serum haemoglobin was more beneficial to QoL in men compared to women (p-value for interaction; PCS: p=0.03, MCS: p=0.01). Higher serum phosphate had a strong harmful effect on both PCS and MCS in men, but not in women (PCS & MCS: p<0.001). The presence of pre-existing diabetes had a negative effect on PCS and MCS in men, but to a lesser extent in women (PCS: p=0.02, MCS: p=0.01). Conclusion Despite the higher overall QoL reported by men, both their physical and mental QoL declined approximately twice as fast compared with women. The faster decline in men was mediated in part by their lower levels of renal function, which had a stronger impact on their QoL as compared with women. Furthermore, in exploratory analyses we identified that high levels of phosphate, low levels of haemoglobin, and pre-existing diabetes were more detrimental to QoL in men than in women.

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Abstract P124: Repeat Manual Office Blood Pressure By A Physician Is Lower Than Automated Office Blood Pressure

Hypertension ◽

10.1161/hyp.78.suppl_1.p124 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 78 (Suppl_1) ◽

Author(s):

Bryce Rhodehouse ◽

Courtney Shaver ◽

Jerry Fan ◽

Bright Izekor ◽

Clinton Jones ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Vital Signs ◽

Outpatient Setting ◽

Office Blood Pressure ◽

P Value ◽

Signed Rank ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Minute Interval ◽

The Difference ◽

Automated Office Blood Pressure

Introduction: An accurate measurement of blood pressure (BP) is critical to diagnosing and treating hypertension (HTN). Manual office BP (MOBP) often results in higher readings than automated office BP (AOBP). In previous studies, a repeat MOBP by a physician resulted in a lower BP than the initial MOBP by nursing staff. We evaluated our hypothesis that a repeat MOBP by a physician is statistically equivalent to AOBP. Methods: In an ambulatory outpatient setting, patients were roomed and at least a 5-minute interval lapsed before an AOBP was performed using a Welch Allyn Connex Vital Signs Monitor. The physician was blinded to the AOBP. The physician then entered the room and obtained a MOBP with a manual aneroid sphygmomanometer. The difference between the AOBP and the MOBP was calculated. A Wilcoxon signed rank sum test was used to determine if a significant difference between AOBP and MOBP exists. Results: A total of 186 patients (112 females, 74 male) had BP measured with a mean age of 66 years. AOBP resulted in a median systolic BP (SBP) 136 mmHg (IQR 121-150 mmHg) and median diastolic BP (DBP) of 78 mmHg (IQR 72-85 mmHg). MOBP SBP had a median of 132 mmHg (IQR 120-142 mmHg) and DBP had a median of 76 mmHg (IQR 70-81 mmHg). SBP and DBP were significantly lower in the MOBP group with a mean difference between AOBP and MOBP of 4.0 and 2.7 mmHg respectively (p-value of <0.0001). Conclusions: Repeat MOBP performed by the physician resulted in a significantly lower BP compared to AOBP. The lower BP may be due to an overall longer interval between the AOBP measurement and MOBP measurement. MOBP may be a viable option for accurate diagnosis and treatment of HTN clinics without access to a AOBP machine.

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Does emergency medicine length of stay predict trauma outcomes at a Level 1 Trauma Center?

Journal of Hospital Administration ◽

10.5430/jha.v4n5p1 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 4 (5) ◽

pp. 1 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Erin Powers Kinney ◽

Kamal Gursahani ◽

Eric Armbrecht ◽

Preeti Dalawari

Keyword(s):

Length Of Stay ◽

Trauma Center ◽

Injury Severity ◽

Hospital Length ◽

Hospital Length Of Stay ◽

Trauma Patients ◽

Hospital Capacity ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Level 1 ◽

Level 1 Trauma Center

Objective: Previous studies looking at emergency department (ED) crowding and delays of care on outcome measures for certain medical and surgical patients excluded trauma patients. The objectives of this study were to assess the relationship of trauma patients’ ED length of stay (EDLOS) on hospital length of stay (HLOS) and on mortality; and to examine the association of ED and hospital capacity on EDLOS.Methods: This was a retrospective database review of Level 1 and 2 trauma patients at a single site Level 1 Trauma Center in the Midwest over a one year period. Out of a sample of 1,492, there were 1,207 patients in the analysis after exclusions. The main outcome was the difference in hospital mortality by EDLOS group (short was less than 4 hours vs. long, greater than 4 hours). HLOS was compared by EDLOS group, stratified by Trauma Injury Severity Score (TRISS) category (< 0.5, 0.51-0.89, > 0.9) to describe the association between ED and hospital capacity on EDLOS.Results: There was no significant difference in mortality by EDLOS (4.8% short and 4% long, p = .5). There was no significant difference in HLOS between EDLOS, when adjusted for TRISS. ED census did not affect EDLOS (p = .59), however; EDLOS was longer when the percentage of staffed hospital beds available was lower (p < .001).Conclusions: While hospital overcrowding did increase EDLOS, there was no association between EDLOS and mortality or HLOS in leveled trauma patients at this institution.

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Effects of statins on clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia

Journal of International Medical Research ◽

10.1177/0300060520938586 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 48 (8) ◽

pp. 030006052093858

Author(s):

Rony M. Zeenny ◽

Hanine Mansour ◽

Wissam K Kabbara ◽

Nibal Chamoun ◽

Myriam Audi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Retrospective Study ◽

Length Of Stay ◽

Hospital Length ◽

Community Acquired Pneumonia ◽

Hospital Length Of Stay ◽

Comorbid Conditions ◽

C Reactive Protein ◽

Reactive Protein ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Chronic Use

Objective We evaluated the effect of chronic use of statins based on C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and hospital length of stay (LOS) in patients admitted with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). Methods We conducted a retrospective study over 12 months at a teaching hospital in Lebanon comparing patients with CAP taking chronic statins with patients not taking statins. Included patients with CAP were older than age 18 years and had two CRP level measures during hospitalization. CURB-65 criteria were used to assess the severity of pneumonia. A decrease in CRP levels on days 1 and 3, LOS, and normalization of fever were used to assess the response to antibiotics. Results Sixty-one patients were taking statins and 90 patients were not taking statins. Patients on statins had significantly more comorbid conditions; both groups had comparable CURB-65 scores. In both groups, no statistically significant difference was seen for the decrease in CRP level on days 1 and 3 and LOS. No difference in days to normalization of fever was detected in either group. Conclusion No association was found between the chronic use of statins and CRP levels, LOS, or days to fever normalization in patients with CAP.

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