ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the protective role of statins on the development of sepsis and infection-related organ dysfunction and mortality in a hospitalized older Chinese population with bacterial infections. In this retrospective cohort study, 257 older patients with bacterial infection were divided into two groups: a statin group, those who had received statin therapy for ≥1 month before admission and continued receiving statin during hospitalization; and a non-statin group, those who had never received statin or used statin for <1 month prior to admission. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk and protective factors for severe sepsis. A significantly lower incidence of organ dysfunction was found in the statin group, as compared with the non-statin group (13.3% vs 31.1%, respectively; p = 0.002), corresponding to adjusted rates ratio of 0.32 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.13-0.75; p = 0.009). No significant difference was found between statin and non-statin groups in 30-day sepsis-related mortality (4.4% vs 10.2%, respectively; p = 0.109), incidence of intensive care unit admission (13.3% vs 16.8%, respectively; p = 0.469), or length of hospital stay (20.5 vs 25.9 days, respectively; p = 0.61). Statins significantly reduced the development of sepsis and infection-related organ dysfunction in hospitalized older Chinese patients but did not reduce 30-day mortality, ICU admission incidence, or length of hospital stay.