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Because statins have anti-inflammatory effects in addition to cholesterol-lowering properties, researchers have begun to probe the possible effects of statins on infection. Now, Wisconsin researchers have retrospectively analyzed data from a large population-based registry on patients who presented with acute respiratory symptoms at an outpatient clinic from 2004 to 2015 to determine whether chronic statin use affects flu vaccine efficacy.
Of 3285 patients (age, ≥45 years), 63% had received seasonal flu vaccine and 37% had not. Among vaccine recipients, 79% were concurrently taking a statin. Not surprisingly, statin users were older than nonusers, were more likely to have cardiovascular disease and diabetes, had lower LDL levels, and were mo…