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Pneumonia remains a major health problem. Hospitalization rates in the United States and Europe have increased 20% to 50% in the last 10 years, researchers say, and about 10% to 15% of patients die of the disease.

A new study shows that people who are hospitalized while taking cholesterol-reducing medications have a higher survival rate within 90 days of discharge.

The death rate for statin users was 10.3% after 30 days, compared to 15.7% for non-users. And after 90 days, the death rate for statin users was 16.8%, compared to 22.4% of those not on statins.

In an editorial, Kasturi Haldar, PhD, of the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., writes that the study "raises the question of whether statins should be used to improve anti-infective therapy."

Report from WebMD

Upon further reading at Health.com, it is mentioned the study could also be picking up on a so-called healthy-user effect. Healthy users tend to see their doctors regularly, take their medications as prescribed, exercise, eat their fruits and veggies, and avoid smoking.

Labels: cholesterol, Pneumonia