Several studies have explored the benefits of cholesterol medications to reduce the severity of COVID-19. Is that true? Learn more here.
A study published in the journal PLOS ONE recently revealed the potential of cholesterol drugs (statin) in reducing the risk of death from COVID-19. The research linked the impact of taking cholesterol drugs, especially in corona patients, with a history of high blood pressure and heart disease.
Is it true? Check out the doctor's explanation about the benefits of statins as drugs for patients with COVID-19.
Exploring the Benefits of Cholesterol Drugs for COVID-19
According to experts, the benefits of cholesterol drug (statin) in reducing the severity of corona virus patients, cannot be separated from their anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects.
Please note, immunomodulators are substances that can modify the immune response. This substance works by activating natural and adaptive defense mechanisms.
However, big studies with diverse populations evaluating the use of statins and their benefits in COVID-19 are lacking.
Research published in PLOS ONE found that patients who took statins before being hospitalized for COVID-19 had a much lower chance of dying, especially among individuals with a history of cardiovascular disease and/or hypertension.
The research referred to by dr. Theresia was published in the journal PLOS ONE on 15 July 2021. The study involved approximately 10,500 COVID-19 patients with severe symptoms from 104 hospitals in the United States.
Before they were hospitalized, 42 percent of participants were taking statins to control high cholesterol. About 7 percent of them took only statins, while another 35 percent took statins with blood pressure medications.
"As a result, about a fifth of the study participants died from COVID-19. However, we found that patients who took statin cholesterol drugs before being treated for COVID-19 had a 41 percent lower risk of death during hospitalization," said researcher dr. Lori Daniels, quoted from WebMD.
The study was adjusted for a number of other confounding factors, such as age, gender, type of illness, other medical conditions, and participants' health insurance.
Based on data collected by the American Heart Association, the research team also concluded that statins can reduce the severity of coronavirus infections by 25 percent.
"This is because the function of statins in stabilizing heart conditions. Maybe it makes the chance of recovering COVID-19 patients become better". said the woman who also serves as director of the cardiovascular intensive care unit at the University of California.
The research team noted, statins are not only used by patients with a history of heart disease.
This drug is also used by patients who are relatively healthy to prevent cardiovascular problems.
Even so, researchers have not found a significant answer regarding the benefits of statin cholesterol drugs in reducing the risk of death in patients who do not have a history of heart disease.
Responding to the results of the study, the director of the Ahmanson Center for Cardiomyopathy, UCLA, dr. Gregg Fonarow said further research was needed to determine the benefits of cholesterol drugs (statins) in reducing the severity of COVID-19 disease.
The reason is, according to dr. Gregg, there is another study that also involved corona virus positive patients with a history of heart disease, has not found any benefit from using cholesterol drugs in treating COVID-19. One such study was released last February 2021 in the journal Nature Communications.
Quoting from Everyday Health, the research team conducted a randomized controlled clinical trial on 600 patients with severe and critical COVID-19 symptoms. Hundreds of these patients were hospitalized in 11 hospitals in Iran.
The focus of the research was to find out the performance of statins in overcoming two complications of corona virus infection, namely blood clots and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).
The results of the study revealed that statins did not make the patient's condition worse. The patient also did not experience any side effects such as bleeding. However, the cholesterol drug also does not reduce blood clotting and other complications.
"Statins, based on our research, are not suitable for treating COVID-19 patients. But treatment opportunities still exist for lipid-modifying therapy", said Behnood Bikdeli, a cardiologist at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, according to Everyday Health.
Controversy on the use of statins for COVID-19:
Meanwhile, other studies, such as the release of the JAMA Internal Medicine Network on June 3, 2021, revealed that cholesterol drugs (statins) can actually worsen corona virus infections.
The study found that statins as well as several types of drugs to treat atherosclerotic heart disease and their risk factors can upregulate the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor. (ACE2)
ACE2 is the gateway for SARS-CoV-2 to enter the body's cells. Even so, the same drug could theoretically reduce vasoconstriction, inflammation, and oxidation.
Researchers then concluded that statin cholesterol drugs are only recommended for use by COVID-19 patients who have indications (conditions when patients need to get the drug).
Those are the facts about the benefits of cholesterol drugs for COVID-19. Make sure you first consult with your doctor if you want to take this drug as part of therapy to deal with corona virus infection.
Get more information about the corona virus infection and its transmission by reading other articles on this blog. Thank you..