ABSTRACT
There is mounting evidence that statin use is beneficial for COVID-19 outcomes. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the association between statin use and mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mechanical ventilation in COVID-19 patients, on studies which provided covariate adjusted effect estimates, or performed propensity score matching. We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Scopus for studies and extracted odds or hazard ratios for specified outcome measures. Data synthesis was performed using a random-effects inverse variance method. Risk of bias, heterogeneity and publication bias were analyzed using standard methods. Our results show that statin use was associated with significant reductions in mortality (OR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.67-0.77; HR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.69, 0.79), ICU admission (OR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.89-0.99; HR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.60-0.96) and mechanical ventilation (OR = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.78-0.92; HR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.47-0.97). Nevertheless, current retrospective studies are based on the antecedent use of statins prior to infection and/or continued use of statin after hospital admission. The results may not apply to the de novo commencement of statin treatment after developing COVID-19 infection. Prospective studies are lacking and necessary.
ABSTRACT
Tomlinson et al focus on how to bring ESG into the quarterly earnings call. Stop treating environmental, social, and governance strategies as a sidebar and integrate them into regular financial reporting. Despite that recent progress, ESG information is still not fully integrated into the discussions on core business strategy and financials that quarterly earnings calls feature. Quarterly earnings calls need an overhaul. Management expends great effort preparing for them, investor relations officers view them as crucial venues for sharing the equity story - the strategic vision that provides a rationale for investing in the company's stock - and quarterly results still move markets.