Whether High-Intensity Statins Actually Reduce Mortality from COVID-19 Needs to be Evaluated in Appropriate Studies

In a retrospective study of 26 445 COVID-19 patients by Ho et al, it was found that the odds of in-hospital mortality decreased by 24% in patients receiving high-dose statin therapy (atorvastatin 40-80 mg/d, rosuvastatin 20-40 mg/d) compared to patients not receiving statin therapy. It was concluded that the use of high-intensity statins in acute COVID-19 may confer a mortality benefit. However, the study has several limitations that put the results and their interpretation into perspective. Whether high-intensity statins actually reduce mortality in COVID-19 patients needs to be evaluated through prospective, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover studies.