Statins for the treatment of COVID-19 patients: an updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Statin is a low-cost and easily accessible therapeutic option for COVID-19 patients. Previous observational studies and meta-analyses suggest using statins for COVID-19 patients. Databases including Medline, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Library, and clinicaltrials.gov were systematically searched. After screening 754 records, 9 trials were included. Overall, the study demonstrated a non-significant reduction in all-cause mortality (p = 0.14, RR 0.90, 95% CI 0.79–1.03), no significant difference in the need for mechanical ventilation (p = 0.62, RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.77–1.17), and a non-significant reduction in length of hospitalization (p = 0.71, MD − 0.17 (95% CI − 1.09, 0.76)). The certainty of evidence varied across outcomes, with most demonstrating reasonable certainty. Our study did not support clinical efficacy of statins for the treatment of COVID-19.