Evaluating the impact of statin therapy on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease outcomes: A retrospective cohort study from a tertiary care hospital in India

Objective: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a common condition marked by significant disability and frequent exacerbations. Statins, owing to their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, may offer therapeutic benefits in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease management. This retrospective cohort study evaluated the impact of statin use on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease outcomes in a subset of Indian population. Methods: Patients diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease from January 2015 to December 2019 were divided into two equal groups of 83 patients each: statin users and nonusers. Primary outcomes included the annual exacerbation rate and number of hospitalizations, while secondary outcomes assessed exacerbation severity, emergency room visits, and duration of hospital stay over 1 year. Results: Statin users showed a lower annual exacerbation rate (2.98 ± 1.9) compared to nonusers (3.51 ± 2.1), although this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.058). Similarly, statin users had fewer hospitalizations (173 vs. 186; p = 0.493). However, the total duration of inpatient stays was significantly reduced in the statin group (1343 vs. 1518 days; p = 0.001). Outpatient and emergency visits were also lower among statin users, although these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Statin use in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exhibited a trend toward improved outcomes, particularly in reducing hospital stay duration, suggesting potential benefits that warrant further investigation.