Table 1 Main characteristics of RCTs included in the meta-analysis of statins for infection and sepsis

Novak V et al.[17]/2009

Israel

Double-blind placebo controlled randomized clinical trial.

83 (42/41)

Not receiving statin therapy during the three months preceding the index admission, within 12 h of admission to a general medical ward with a suspected or documented bacterial infection, and prescribed intravenous antibiotics therapy by their physicians.

5 points

40 mg of simvastatin orally immediately following enrollment, and daily 20 mg of simvastatin after that, until hospital discharge or the development of severe sepsis.

Placebo

Kruger PS et al.[18]/2011

Australia

Prospective randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial

150 (75/75)

Patients with any of 97 potential infection-related diagnoses; admitted to both the general wards or the intensive care unit; preexisting statin therapy and the treating physician prepared to either continue or discontinue this therapy

5 points

20 mg of atorvastatin orally or via nasogastric tube at the earliest opportunity and was continued daily for the duration of hospital admission up to a maximum of 28 days.

Placebo

Patel JM et al.[19]/2012

UK

phase II randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial

100 (49/51)

Documented new proven or suspected infection and the presence of any two of the signs and symptoms of infection (white blood cell >11 or <4 × 109/L, temperature >38°C or <36°C, heart rate >90 bpm, or respiratory rate >20/minute) for less than 24 hours.

4 points

Atorvastatin 40 mg daily was administered orally within 24 hours of randomization. Treatment continued for the duration of their hospital stay or 28 days if earlier

Placebo

Kruger P et al.[20]/2013

Australia

Phase II, prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial

250 (123/127)

Critically ill, had strongly suspected or proven infection, fulfilled three or more of the features of systemic inflammatory response syndrome within the 48 hours and had an organ dysfunction of less than 24 hours duration

4 points

Take statins more than two weeks prior to hospital admission; Atorvastatin 20 mg was orally or via nasogastric tube given following randomisation then continued daily until Day 14 or until death or discharge from the intensive care unit

Placebo

Papazian L et al.[21]/2013

France

Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind parallel-group trial

284 (146/138)

Received mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit for at least two days and had suspected ventilator-associated pneumonia, statins therapy started on the same day as antibiotic therapy

5 points

Simvastatin 60 mg given via a nasogastric tube or orally from study inclusion to ICU discharge, death or Day 28

Placebo