-
Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology Jun 2019Antihypertensive drugs (AHTDs) and statins are frequently administered together, but there is uncertainty on whether the presence of one affects the main effects of the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Antihypertensive drugs (AHTDs) and statins are frequently administered together, but there is uncertainty on whether the presence of one affects the main effects of the other. This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the effects of co-administered AHTDs and statins on blood pressure (BP) and cholesterol. MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and drug regulatory agency websites were searched, until January 2018. Twelve double-blind randomized controlled trials that allocated adults with or without hypertension and/or hyperlipidemia (n = 4434) to fixed doses of AHTD alone, statin alone and both drugs together, for ≥4 weeks, were included. BP lowering was similar with AHTD + statin compared with AHTD alone [systolic BP -0.1 mm Hg, 95% confidence interval (CI), -1.0 to 0.8, and diastolic BP -1.0 mm Hg, 95% CI, -2.3 to -0.2]. AHTD + statin compared with statin alone resulted in small reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (-3.9 mg/dL, 95% CI, -6.1 to -1.7), and this effect was largely associated with co-administration of amlodipine and atorvastatin or rosuvastatin. There was no difference in safety outcomes. Overall, it can be concluded that there is no clinically important difference in the effects of AHTDs and statins whether used separately or together for reduction in BP and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
Topics: Antihypertensive Agents; Biomarkers; Blood Pressure; Cholesterol, LDL; Drug Interactions; Dyslipidemias; Female; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Hypertension; Male; Middle Aged; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 31162243
DOI: 10.1097/FJC.0000000000000671 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Nov 2014Rosuvastatin is one of the most potent statins and is currently widely prescribed. It is therefore important to know the dose-related magnitude of effect of rosuvastatin... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Rosuvastatin is one of the most potent statins and is currently widely prescribed. It is therefore important to know the dose-related magnitude of effect of rosuvastatin on blood lipids.
OBJECTIVES
Primary objective To quantify the effects of various doses of rosuvastatin on serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides in participants with and without evidence of cardiovascular disease. Secondary objectives To quantify the variability of the effect of various doses of rosuvastatin.To quantify withdrawals due to adverse effects (WDAEs) in the randomized placebo-controlled trials.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) Issue 10 of 12, 2014 in The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE (1946 to October week 5 2014), EMBASE (1980 to 2014 week 44), Web of Science Core Collection (1970 to 5 November 2014) and BIOSIS Citation Index (1969 to 31 October 2014). No language restrictions were applied.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomized controlled and uncontrolled before-and-after trials evaluating the dose response of different fixed doses of rosuvastatin on blood lipids over a duration of three to 12 weeks.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently assessed eligibility criteria for studies to be included and extracted data. WDAEs information was collected from the placebo-controlled trials.
MAIN RESULTS
One-hundred and eight trials (18 placebo-controlled and 90 before-and-after) evaluated the dose-related efficacy of rosuvastatin in 19,596 participants. Rosuvastatin 10 to 40 mg/day caused LDL-cholesterol decreases of 46% to 55%, when all the trials were combined using the generic inverse variance method. The quality of evidence for these effects is high. Log dose-response data over doses of 1 to 80 mg, revealed strong linear dose-related effects on blood total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and non-HDL-cholesterol. When compared to atorvastatin, rosuvastatin was about three-fold more potent at reducing LDL-cholesterol. There was no dose-related effect of rosuvastatin on blood HDL-cholesterol, but overall, rosuvastatin increased HDL by 7%. There is a high risk of bias for the trials in this review, which would affect WDAEs, but unlikely to affect the lipid measurements. WDAEs were not statistically different between rosuvastatin and placebo in 10 of 18 of these short-term trials (risk ratio 0.84; 95% confidence interval 0.48 to 1.47).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
The total blood total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and non-HDL-cholesterol-lowering effect of rosuvastatin was linearly dependent on dose. Rosuvastatin log dose-response data were linear over the commonly prescribed dose range. Based on an informal comparison with atorvastatin, this represents a three-fold greater potency. This review did not provide a good estimate of the incidence of harms associated with rosuvastatin because of the short duration of the trials and the lack of reporting of adverse effects in 44% of the placebo-controlled trials.
Topics: Cardiovascular Diseases; Cholesterol; Cholesterol, HDL; Cholesterol, LDL; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug Administration Schedule; Fluorobenzenes; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Hyperlipidemias; Lipids; Pyrimidines; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Rosuvastatin Calcium; Sulfonamides; Triglycerides
PubMed: 25415541
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010254.pub2 -
Journal of Clinical Rheumatology :... Jan 2022We queried the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) databases for this study. The pooled efficacy was... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Efficacy of Atorvastatin Plus Conventional Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs on Disease Activity in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
METHODS
We queried the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) databases for this study. The pooled efficacy was evaluated using standardized mean differences. The inverse of the variance model was used for data pooling.
RESULTS
Based on the search, we identified 9 randomized controlled trials. The trials included 258 patients in the atorvastatin plus DMARD groups and 246 patients in the DMARD alone groups. The primary outcome was the change from baseline in the 2018 (209:228 Disease Activity Score in 28 Joints). Based on the Disease Activity Score in 28 Joints, disease activity in RA patients decreased significantly in patients given atorvastatin plus DMARD compared with patients given DMARD alone (standardized mean difference, -2.46; 95% confidence interval, -3.98 to -0.95; p = 0.0015; I2 = 97%; p < 0.01). Subgroup analysis did not identify any confounding factors, and no publication bias was detected in the meta-analysis.
CONCLUSIONS
The result supports that atorvastatin could be added to DMARDs to treat patients with RA.
Topics: Antirheumatic Agents; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Atorvastatin; Humans; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 33902096
DOI: 10.1097/RHU.0000000000001724 -
PloS One 2017Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is an important disease threatening human life and health. Many studies have shown that the loading dose of atorvastatin can significantly... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Effect of high-dose rosuvastatin loading before percutaneous coronary intervention in Chinese patients with acute coronary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is an important disease threatening human life and health. Many studies have shown that the loading dose of atorvastatin can significantly improve the prognosis of patients with ACS, and reduce the mortality. However, this conclusion is not consistent. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the effect of high-dose rosuvastatin loading before percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in Chinese patients with ACS using a meta-analysis based on a systematic review of published articles.
METHODS
We systematically reviewed published studies, evaluating the effect of high-dose rosuvastatin loading before percutaneous coronary intervention in Chinese patients with ACS. The retrieval time is limited from inception to 2 November 2016, and the retrieved databases included PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CBM, CNKI, the VIP database and the Wang Fang database. Two researchers independently assessed the quality of the included studies and then extracted the data. Stata 11.0 was used for data analysis.
RESULTS
In total, 11 articles, which included 802 patients, were included in our meta-analysis. Among these patients, 398 patients were in the high-dose group (20 mg/day) and 404 patients were in the conventional dose group (10 mg/day). Meta-analysis results showed that compared with the conventional dose group: 1) The loading dose of rosuvastatin can significantly reduce the hs-CRP level after PCI, including at 24 hours (SMD = -0.65, 95%CI -0.84 ~ -0.47, P = 0.000), 48 hours (SMD = -0.40, 95%CI -0.68 ~ -0.11, P = 0.006), and four weeks (SMD = -1.64, 95%CI -2.01 ~ -1.26, P = 0.000). 2) The loading dose of rosuvastatin can significantly reduce the levels of LDL-C and cTnT, including the level of LDL-C at 30 d after PCI (SMD = -0.89, 95%CI -1.10 ~ -0.69, P = 0.000), and the level of cTnT at 24 h after PCI (SMD = -1.93, 95%CI -2.28 ~ -1.59, P = 0.000), and increase the level of HDL-C at 48 h after PCI (SMD = 0.61, 95%CI 0.34 ~ 0.88, P = 0.000). 3) The loading dose of rosuvastatin can significantly reduce the levels of TG and TC, including the level of TG at 30 d after PCI (SMD = -0.94, 95%CI -1.17 ~ -0.71, P = 0.000), the level of TC at 48 h after PCI (SMD = -0.35, 95%CI -0.68 ~ -0.01, P = 0.043), and the level of TC at 30 d after PCI (SMD = -0.77, 95%CI -0.98 ~ -0.56, P = 0.000).
CONCLUSIONS
Our systematic review and meta-analysis showed that, compared with the conventional dose, the loading dose of rosuvastatin was more beneficial to patients with ACS in China and is suitable for clinical application. Due to the limitations of the quality and quantity of included articles, this conclusion still needs to be confirmed by multicenter clinical trials.
Topics: Acute Coronary Syndrome; Anticholesteremic Agents; China; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention; Rosuvastatin Calcium
PubMed: 28231287
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0171682 -
Thrombosis and Haemostasis Jul 2016Elevated plasma levels of the pro-thrombotic and pro-inflammatory factor plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) may contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Elevated plasma levels of the pro-thrombotic and pro-inflammatory factor plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) may contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Beyond their lipid-lowering effect, statins have been shown to modulate plasma PAI-1 levels but evidence from individual randomised controlled trials (RCTs) is controversial. Therefore, we aimed to assess the potential effects of statin therapy on plasma PAI-1 concentration through a meta-analysis of RCTs. We searched Medline and SCOPUS databases (up to October 3, 2014) to identify RCTs investigating the effect of statin therapy on plasma PAI-1 concentrations. We performed random-effects meta-analysis and assessed heterogeneity (I² test, subgroup and sensitivity analyses) and publication bias (funnel plot, Egger and "trim and fill" tests). Sixteen RCTs (comprising 19 treatment arms) were included and pooled analyses showed a significant effect of statins in reducing plasma PAI-1 concentrations (weighted mean difference WMD: -15.72 ng/ml, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: -25.01, -6.43,). In subgroup analysis, this effect remained significant in with lipophilic statins (atorvastatin and simvastatin) (WMD: -21.32 ng/ml, 95 % CI: -32.73, -9.91, I²=99 %) and particularly atorvastatin (WMD: -20.88 ng/mL, 95 % CI: -28.79, -12.97, I2=97 %). In the meta-regression analysis, the impact of statins on PAI-1 did not correlate with the administered dose, duration of treatment and changes in plasma LDL-cholesterol concentrations. Finally, evidence of publication bias was observed. In conclusion, taking into account the limit of heterogeneity between studies, the present meta-analysis suggests that statin therapy (mainly atorvastatin) significantly lowers plasma PAI-1 concentrations.
Topics: Atorvastatin; Coronary Artery Disease; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1; Publication Bias; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Regression Analysis; Risk Factors
PubMed: 27009446
DOI: 10.1160/TH15-10-0770 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jul 2014The use of statin therapy in established Alzheimer's disease (AD) or vascular dementia (VaD) is a relatively unexplored area. In AD, β-amyloid protein (Aβ) is... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
The use of statin therapy in established Alzheimer's disease (AD) or vascular dementia (VaD) is a relatively unexplored area. In AD, β-amyloid protein (Aβ) is deposited in the form of extracellular plaques and previous studies have determined Aβ generation is cholesterol dependent. Hypercholesterolaemia has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of VaD. Due to the role of statins in cholesterol reduction, it is biologically plausible they may be efficacious in the treatment of AD and VaD.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the clinical efficacy and safety of statins in the treatment of AD and VaD. To evaluate if the efficacy of statins in the treatment of AD and VaD depends on cholesterol level, ApoE genotype or cognitive level.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched ALOIS, the Specialized Register of the Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group, The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and LILACS, as well as many trials registries and grey literature sources (20 January 2014).
SELECTION CRITERIA
Double-blind, randomised controlled trials of statins given for at least six months in people with a diagnosis of dementia.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two independent authors extracted and assessed data against the inclusion criteria. We pooled data where appropriate and entered them into a meta-analysis. We used standard methodological procedures expected by The Cochrane Collaboration.
MAIN RESULTS
We identified four studies (1154 participants, age range 50 to 90 years). All participants had a diagnosis of probable or possible AD according to standard criteria and most participants were established on a cholinesterase inhibitor. The primary outcome in all studies was change in Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale - cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog) from baseline. When we pooled data, there was no significant benefit from statin (mean difference -0.26, 95% confidence interval (CI) -1.05 to 0.52, P value = 0.51). All studies provided change in Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) from baseline. There was no significant benefit from statins in MMSE when we pooled the data (mean difference -0.32, 95% CI -0.71 to 0.06, P value = 0.10). Three studies reported treatment-related adverse effects. When we pooled data, there was no significant difference between statins and placebo (odds ratio 1.09, 95% CI 0.58 to 2.06, P value = 0.78). There was no significant difference in behaviour, global function or activities of daily living in the statin and placebo groups. We assessed risk of bias as low for all studies. We found no studies assessing role of statins in treatment of VaD.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Analyses from the studies available, including two large randomised controlled trials, indicate that statins have no benefit on the primary outcome measures of ADAS-Cog or MMSE.
Topics: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alzheimer Disease; Atorvastatin; Dementia; Heptanoic Acids; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Middle Aged; Pyrroles; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Simvastatin
PubMed: 25004278
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD007514.pub3 -
International Journal of Preventive... 2021Cardiovascular diseases impose a burden of disease and economic burden on society. With regard to different drugs are used to treat cardiovascular disease; these... (Review)
Review
Cardiovascular diseases impose a burden of disease and economic burden on society. With regard to different drugs are used to treat cardiovascular disease; these interventions should be economically evaluated and them that the most cost-effective were selected. The aim of this study was to investigate the studies carried on the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of statin drugs for the treatment of patients with cardiovascular disease between 2004 and 2020. Quality assessment of the articles was examined by Drummond's checklist. Given that the inclusion criteria, 26 articles included in the review. The results of this review showed that many articles related to the economic evaluation of statin drugs adhered international standards for performing economic evaluation studies. All the studies mentioned the source of effectiveness (the second criteria) and alternative options for the comparison (the third criteria). Atorvastatin and rosuvastatin drugs were the main options for the comparison in the studies. Although the results of the studies were different in some aspects, such as the type of modeling, costs items and the study perspective, they reached the same results which the use of statin drugs versus no-drug can decrease cost, cardiovascular events and deaths and increase QALY. The results were nearly different due to study design, time horizon, efficacy, and drug prices.
PubMed: 34249288
DOI: 10.4103/ijpvm.IJPVM_125_20 -
International Journal of Cardiology Jan 2017Arterial stiffness has been observed to be an independent predictor for cardiovascular events. Effects of cholesterol lowering agents (statins) on arterial stiffness are... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Arterial stiffness has been observed to be an independent predictor for cardiovascular events. Effects of cholesterol lowering agents (statins) on arterial stiffness are inconsistent. We conducted a systematic review with a meta-analysis of all RCTs investigating the impact of statin therapy on arterial properties.
METHODS
We comprehensively searched the databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane from their dates of inception through April 2016. The inclusion criteria were published RCTs comparing change in arterial stiffness between statin administration and active control or placebo groups. Arterial stiffness is determined by aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV). We used a random-effects model and calculated pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) comparing change in PWV between the statin and control groups.
RESULTS
Six studies were included in the meta-analysis. Statin therapy includes simvastatin, rosuvastatin, lovastatin, fluvastatin, and atorvastatin. Compared with the active control or placebo group, the statin therapy group had lower aPWV (SMD=2.31, 95% CI: 1.15-3.45, P=0.07, I=93%).
CONCLUSION
Our meta-analysis demonstrates that statin therapy has a beneficial effect on aortic arterial stiffness. Further studies should be conducted to assess the effects of this therapy on arterial stiffness at various sites and conditions.
Topics: Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Pulse Wave Analysis; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Vascular Stiffness
PubMed: 27839806
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2016.11.073 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jun 2020Pitavastatin is the newest statin on the market, and the dose-related magnitude of effect of pitavastatin on blood lipids is not known. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Pitavastatin is the newest statin on the market, and the dose-related magnitude of effect of pitavastatin on blood lipids is not known.
OBJECTIVES
Primary objective To quantify the effects of various doses of pitavastatin on the surrogate markers: LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides in participants with and without cardiovascular disease. To compare the effect of pitavastatin on surrogate markers with other statins. Secondary objectives To quantify the effect of various doses of pitavastatin on withdrawals due to adverse effects. SEARCH METHODS: The Cochrane Hypertension Information Specialist searched the following databases for trials up to March 2019: the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, Issue 2, 2019), MEDLINE (from 1946), Embase (from 1974), the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and ClinicalTrials.gov. We also contacted authors of relevant papers regarding further published and unpublished work. The searches had no language restrictions.
SELECTION CRITERIA
RCT and controlled before-and-after studies evaluating the dose response of different fixed doses of pitavastatin on blood lipids over a duration of three to 12 weeks in participants of any age with and without cardiovascular disease.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently assessed eligibility criteria for studies to be included, and extracted data. We entered data from RCT and controlled before-and-after studies into Review Manager 5 as continuous and generic inverse variance data, respectively. Withdrawals due to adverse effects (WDAE) information was collected from the RCTs. We assessed all included trials using the Cochrane 'Risk of bias' tool under the categories of allocation (selection bias), blinding (performance bias and detection bias), incomplete outcome data (attrition bias), selective reporting (reporting bias), and other potential sources of bias.
MAIN RESULTS
Forty-seven studies (five RCTs and 42 before-and-after studies) evaluated the dose-related efficacy of pitavastatin in 5436 participants. The participants were of any age with and without cardiovascular disease, and pitavastatin effects were studied within a treatment period of three to 12 weeks. Log dose-response data over doses of 1 mg to 16 mg revealed strong linear dose-related effects on blood total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. There was no dose-related effect of pitavastatin on blood HDL cholesterol, which was increased by 4% on average by pitavastatin. Pitavastatin 1 mg/day to 16 mg/day reduced LDL cholesterol by 33.3% to 54.7%, total cholesterol by 23.3% to 39.0% and triglycerides by 13.0% to 28.1%. For every two-fold dose increase, there was a 5.35% (95% CI 3.32 to 7.38) decrease in blood LDL cholesterol, a 3.93% (95% CI 2.35 to 5.50) decrease in blood total cholesterol and a 3.76% (95% CI 1.03 to 6.48) decrease in blood triglycerides. The certainty of evidence for these effects was judged to be high. When compared to other statins for its effect to reduce LDL cholesterol, pitavastatin is about 6-fold more potent than atorvastatin, 1.7-fold more potent than rosuvastatin, 77-fold more potent than fluvastatin and 3.3-fold less potent than cerivastatin. For the placebo group, there were no participants who withdrew due to an adverse effect per 109 subjects and for all doses of pitavastatin, there were three participants who withdrew due to an adverse effect per 262 subjects.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Pitavastatin lowers blood total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride in a dose-dependent linear fashion. Based on the effect on LDL cholesterol, pitavastatin is about 6-fold more potent than atorvastatin, 1.7-fold more potent than rosuvastatin, 77-fold more potent than fluvastatin and 3.3-fold less potent than cerivastatin. There were not enough data to determine risk of withdrawal due to adverse effects due to pitavastatin.
Topics: Atorvastatin; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cholesterol, HDL; Cholesterol, LDL; Controlled Before-After Studies; Drug Administration Schedule; Female; Fluvastatin; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Lipids; Male; Pyridines; Quinolines; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Rosuvastatin Calcium; Sex Factors; Triglycerides
PubMed: 32557581
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD012735.pub2 -
BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.) Jun 2003To determine by how much statins reduce serum concentrations of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and incidence of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) events and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
To determine by how much statins reduce serum concentrations of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and incidence of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) events and stroke, according to drug, dose, and duration of treatment.
DESIGN
Three meta-analyses: 164 short term randomised placebo controlled trials of six statins and LDL cholesterol reduction; 58 randomised trials of cholesterol lowering by any means and IHD events; and nine cohort studies and the same 58 trials on stoke.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Reductions in LDL cholesterol according to statin and dose; reduction in IHD events and stroke for a specified reduction in LDL cholesterol.
RESULTS
Reductions in LDL cholesterol (in the 164 trials) were 2.8 mmol/l (60%) with rosuvastatin 80 mg/day, 2.6 mmol/l (55%) with atorvastatin 80 mg/day, 1.8 mmol/l (40%) with atorvastatin 10 mg/day, lovastatin 40 mg/day, simvastatin 40 mg/day, or rosuvastatin 5 mg/day, all from pretreatment concentrations of 4.8 mmol/l. Pravastatin and fluvastatin achieved smaller reductions. In the 58 trials, for an LDL cholesterol reduction of 1.0 mmol/l the risk of IHD events was reduced by 11% in the first year of treatment, 24% in the second year, 33% in years three to five, and by 36% thereafter (P < 0.001 for trend). IHD events were reduced by 20%, 31%, and 51% in trials grouped by LDL cholesterol reduction (means 0.5 mmol/l, 1.0 mmol/l, and 1.6 mmol/l) after results from first two years of treatment were excluded (P < 0.001 for trend). After several years a reduction of 1.8 mmol/l would reduce IHD events by an estimated 61%. Results from the same 58 trials, corroborated by results from the nine cohort studies, show that lowering LDL cholesterol decreases all stroke by 10% for a 1 mmol/l reduction and 17% for a 1.8 mmol/l reduction. Estimates allow for the fact that trials tended to recruit people with vascular disease, among whom the effect of LDL cholesterol reduction on stroke is greater because of their higher risk of thromboembolic stroke (rather than haemorrhagic stroke) compared with people in the general population.
CONCLUSIONS
Statins can lower LDL cholesterol concentration by an average of 1.8 mmol/l which reduces the risk of IHD events by about 60% and stroke by 17%.
Topics: Cholesterol, LDL; Cohort Studies; Double-Blind Method; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; Myocardial Ischemia; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Risk Factors; Stroke
PubMed: 12829554
DOI: 10.1136/bmj.326.7404.1423