Table 2 Association of statin treatment with continuous outcome variables

Ishida W, et al., Japan, 2007 [23]

Decreased mortality 2° to COPD in statin users

Inverse correlation between statin prescriptions dispensed and mortality due COPD by prefecture, p < 0.0001

Respiratory-related urgent care

Keddissi JI, et al., USA, 2007 [26]

Reduction in respiratory-related emergency-department-visits and/or hospitalizations in statin users

Incidence of respiratory related urgent care, obstructive spirometry group 0.12 ± 0.29/patient-yrs in statin users versus 0.19 ± 0.32/patient-yrs in control, p = 0.02

Lung function

Keddissi JI, et al., USA, 2007 [26]

Lower decline in FEV1 and FVC/yr in statin users

Obstructive spirometry group

change in FEV1 +5 ± 207 ml/yr in statin users

change in FEV1–86 ± 168 ml/yr in control (p < 0.0001)

change in FVC +33 ± 452 ml/yr in statin users

change in FVC-150 ± 328 ml/yr in control (p < 0.0001)

Lee T-M, et al., Taiwan, 2008 [19]

No difference in pulmonary function parameters in statin users

Pravastatin group: FEV1% at baseline 51 ± 18, at follow-up 55 ± 19

Placebo group: FEV1% at baseline 56 ± 13, at follow-up 55 ± 14, p > 0.05

Exercise capacity

Lee T-M, et al., Taiwan, 2008 [19]

Improvement in exercise time in statin users

Pravastatin group: exercise time in s at baseline 599 ± 323, at follow-up 922 ± 328

Placebo group: exercise time in s at baseline 608 ± 273, at follow-up 609 ± 180, p < 0.05

Borg dyspnea score after exercise tests

Lee T-M, et al., Taiwan, 2008 [19]

Lesser degree of dyspnea after exercise in statin users

Pravastatin group: Borg dyspnea score at baseline 7.0 ± 0.8, at follow-up 4.0 ± 0.7

Placebo group: Borg dyspnea score at baseline 6.9 ± 0.8, at follow-up 6.9 ± 1.0, p < 0.05

CRP/IL-6 levels

Lee T-M, et al., Taiwan, 2008 [19]

Decrease in CRP/IL-6 levels in statin users

Pravastatin group: CRP (mg/l) at baseline 3.94 ± 3.54, at follow-up 3.85 ± 2.56

Placebo group: CRP (mg/l) at baseline 4.06 ± 2.67, at follow-up 2.66 ± 2.49, p < 0.05