The risk of statins for contracting norovirus disease may have considerable consequences for the Western world

This study was published in Epidemiology and Infection 2011 Mar;139(3):453-63

 

Study title and authors:

Norovirus disease associated with excess mortality and use of statins: a retrospective cohort study of an outbreak following a pilgrimage to Lourdes.

Rondy M, Koopmans M, Rotsaert C, Van Loon T, Beljaars B, Van Dijk G, Siebenga J, Svraka S, Rossen JW, Teunis P, Van Pelt W, Verhoef L.

National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Center for Infectious Diseases Control, Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, Bilthoven, The Netherlands. marc.rondy@rivm.nl

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20492742

Noroviruses are a group of viruses that can cause gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis is an infection of the gut (intestines) which usually causes vomiting and diarrhoea.

This study examined the association of statins with norovirus. The study examined a group of psychiatric patients returning from Lourdes (France).

The study found:
(a) Statin users had a 290% increased risk of contracting norovirus compared to non-users.
(b) Death rates were 1990% higher in patients infected with norovirus.

The lead author of the study Dr Marc Rondy concluded: "The newly identified risk of statins for contracting norovirus disease may have considerable consequences for the Western world"