Statins slash death from terrifying 'hidden' condition that kills 48,000 a year by 40 per cent, new study finds
Taking statins can improve the chances of surviving 'hidden' killer sepsis by 40 per cent, a major new trial has found.
Sepsis can occur when the body's immune system—which usually helps to fight infection—overreacts to an infection and attacks its own organs.
It is notoriously difficult to spot as the telltale symptoms, such as a fever and muscle pain, can be easily mistaken for signs of a common cold or other infection.
Statins are cholesterol-busting drugs that prevent heart attacks and strokes and are taken by around 5million adults in the UK.
Experts have said they also have other benefits, including reducing inflammation and fighting bacteria that can ultimately lead to sepsis.
The latest study compared survival rates of sepsis patients who were given statins, and those who didn't, during a hospital stay.
It found the cholesterol-busting pills reduced risk of death for those with the life-threatening condition by 39 per cent.
In the intensive care unit, 14.3 per cent of 6,000 sepsis patients who were given statins died within 28 days, compared with 23.4 per cent of 6,000 patients who were not.
It also helped survival rates for those no longer in a critical condition—11 per cent of sepsis patients in this group given statins died compared to 19 per cent who were not.
Meanwhile, those who were prescribed statins had a slightly longer stay in hospital than those who didn't—an average of 10 days compared to eight.
Dr Caifeng Li, of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital in China and the study's author said: 'These results strongly suggest that statins may provide a protective effect and improve clinical outcomes for patients with sepsis.'
The research team have called for larger trials to confirm their findings—which was based on a data from thousands of patients at a hospital in Israel over a decade.
In response UK sepsis experts said that 'anything which might reduce the burden of a condition which claims one in five lives worldwide needs to be rigorously explored.'
Dr Ron Daniels, founder and chief executive of the UK Sepsis Trust, added: 'It has been known for some time that the anti-inflammatory properties of statins confer a survival benefit on those who take them if they develop sepsis.
'Whilst previous studies have failed to show a similar survival benefit in treating people with sepsis with statins, this new study supports calls for a large, multi-country, randomised control trial.
'Anything which might reduce the burden of a condition which claims one in five lives worldwide needs to be rigorously explored.'
The study is the latest to find statins, one of the most commonly prescribed medications in the UK, could have other health benefits beyond controlling cholesterol.
Earlier this year researchers found taking the pills, which cost mere pennies a tablet, could also slash dementia risk—even in patients who don't have high cholesterol.
Sepsis, known as the 'silent killer', strikes with frightening speed and, for every hour of delay, a patient's chance of dying increases 8 per cent.
If caught early enough, it can be easily treated with intravenous antibiotics and fluids, but these must be given as soon as sepsis is suspected.
The early symptoms of sepsis can be easily confused with more mild conditions, meaning it can be difficult to diagnose.
A high temperature, chills and shivering, a fast heartbeat and rapid breathing are also indicators.
A patient can rapidly deteriorate if sepsis is missed early on, so quick diagnosis and treatment is vital–yet this rarely happens.
In the early stages, sepsis can be mistaken for a chest infection, flu or upset stomach.
It is most common and dangerous in older adults, pregnant women, children younger than one, people with chronic conditions or those who have weakened immune systems.
The six potential signs of the deadly condition can be identified by the acronym 'SEPSIS'.
Slurred speech or confusion, Extreme shivering or muscle pain, Passing no urine in a day, Severe breathlessness, and Skin that's mottled or discoloured.
Anyone who develops any of these symptoms should seek medical help urgently—and ask doctors: 'Could this be sepsis?'
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