The efficacy of Atorvastatin in correcting the lipid profile - An open evaluation study

Abstract

The reduction of cholesterol, mainly with statins,
achieves one of the most important benefits in
cardiovascular disease prevention. In Portugal, large
studies with hypolipidaemic drugs are scarce.
Therefore we considered it important to conduct a
study to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of
atorvastatin (10 and 20 mg/day) in Portuguese
dyslipidaemic patients. In 16 centres, 208 ambulatory
patients, 18-70 years old, were selected and classified
according to the levels of risk defined by the
guidelines of the European Atherosclerosis Society
valid at the study time. Of the 191 who started
medication, three abandoned treatment because of
adverse events.
There were highly significant differences in lipid
values between visit V2 (basal) and V3 (one month
after 10 mg/day of atorvastatin). Total cholesterol
was reduced by 25.2%, LDL cholesterol by 32.2%,
and triglycerides by 23.3% (p<0.001). In 17% of the
patients it was necessary to double the dose of
atorvastatin, in order to try to achieve the cholesterol
goals of the respective cardiovascular risk level, and
comparing to V3 levels, total cholesterol decreased
more 10.0% and the LDL cholesterol more 13.3%.
With the 10 mg dose, HDL cholesterol increased by
35% (p=0.013) in patients with a basal level under
35 mg/dl (n=14), and by 15% (p<0.001) in all patients
with a basal level under 40 mg/dl (n=37).
This study, in Portuguese dyslipidaemic patients,
confirmed the excellent efficacy and tolerability of
atorvastatin in decreasing LDL cholesterol levels
and in increasing low HDL cholesterol levels.