Benefits of Statins as Adjunct Therapy in the Management of Tuberculosis in Patients at a Referral Site in Ghana

Abstract Background Repurposing medications that have demonstrated efficacy experimentally for drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB), such as statins, provides an opportunity to sidestep the time span and financial resources required to produce new antimicrobials to surmount resistance. However, this has not been extensively explored particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigated the benefits of statins as adjunct therapy in patients with TB, including those that are drug-resistant. Methods This was a case control study, involving the review of 3-year medical record of patients with tuberculosis on TB therapy with statins as adjunct (the cases), and those on TB therapy but not on statins at the Agogo Presbyterian Hospital in Ghana. The data obtained was analyzed using STATA version 17. Chi square test was used to determine the association between statin use as adjunct for TB therapy and improved outcomes (cure rate). Results Statin use in TB therapy as adjunct was associated with an increased incidence of TB cure (p<0.001). The relationship between statin and TB cure was still statistically significant, when age was adjusted for as a confounder in statin exposed individuals, (RR=4.9, p<0.05). Additionally, statins increased the cure rate of TB in the population studied, 6.61 per 100 population, 95% CI, (4.05-10.79) compared to 1.30 per 100 population 95 % CI, (0.65-2.59) in the absence of statins. Conclusion Statin use in patients on TB therapy was associated with increased cure. This study has affirmed that statins have potential benefits as an adjunct therapy in TB management.