(October 28, 2008 - Insidermedicine) Taking the cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins may help improve prognosis during a hospitalization for pneumonia, according to research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Here are some facts about pneumonia:

•    It is an inflammation of the lungs, usually caused by an infection with a bacteria or virus.

•    Pneumonia can usually be effectively treated, but is occasionally fatal, particularly among the very old, very young, or those with other illnesses.

•    Symptoms of pneumonia include chest pain, fever, chills, and cough.

Researchers from Aarhus University and Aalborg Hospital analyzed data on nearly 30,000 adults who were hospitalized with pneumonia between 1997 and 2004. Among these patients, nearly 5% were taking statins.

Among those on statins, the death rate was 10% after 30 days and 16% after 90 days, compared with 15% and 22%, respectively, for those not on statins. Statins had the most pronounced effect on death rates among patients over 80, patients with bacteria in their blood, and during the first several weeks of hospitalization, when death rates from pneumonia are highest.

We had a chance to speak with Dr. Reimar Thomsen, the principal investigator of this study, who offered some further insight.

Today’s research contributes to mounting evidence that statins help improve the prognosis following severe infection. This may be the result of anti-inflammatory, anti-clotting, or immune system modifying effects.

For Insidermedicine in Depth, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.