Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Reductions Depend on Statin Choice and Dose

HealthDay News – For patients with hypertriglyceridemia, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) reductions depend of the choice and dose of statin, according to research published in the May 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.

Björn W. Karlson, MD, PhD, from AstraZeneca and the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, and colleagues used data from a meta-analysis of the VOYAGER study (indiVidual patient meta-analysis Of statin therapY in At-risk Groups: Effects of Rosuvastatin, atorvastatin, and simvastatin) to examine LDL-C and TG reductions in patients with baseline TG ≥177 mg/dL. 

Using 15 800 patient exposures to rosuvastatin, atorvastatin, and simvastatin, the least squares mean percentage change from baseline in LDL-C and TG were compared.

Researchers found that the mean reductions in LDL-C varied from −26.9% to −55.5%. Significantly greater reductions in LDL-C were seen for 10 to 40 mg rosuvastatin vs equal or double doses of atorvastatin and simvastatin (P<.05). 

The mean reductions in TG varied from −15.1% to −31.3%. Significantly greater reductions were seen for rosuvastatin 10 mg vs atorvastatin 10 mg (P<.05); similar reductions were seen for 20 to 40 mg rosuvastatin vs equal doses of atorvastatin. Significantly greater reductions were seen for rosuvastatin 20 to 40 mg vs equal or double doses of simvastatin (P<.05).

“In patients with hypertriglyceridemia, LDL-C reduction was substantial and dependent on the choice and dose of statin,” the authors wrote.

Disclosures: Several authors disclosed financial ties to AstraZeneca, which funded the study.

Reference

Karlson BW, Palmer MK, Nicholls SJ, Lundman P, Barter PJ. A VOYAGER meta-analysis of the impact of statin therapy on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels in patients with hypertriglyceridemia. Am J Cardiol. 2016;117(9):1444-1448. doi: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2016.02.011.