Effects of initial BMI and on-treatment weight change on the lipid-lowering efficacy of fibrates.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effects of BMI at baseline and on-treatment weight change on the lipid-lowering efficacy of diet plus fibric acid derivatives (fibrates) in hypercholesterolemic adults.


METHODS
6003 participants in a Belgian General Practitioners Trial, an open-label, prospective study conducted in a primary care setting.


METHODS
Effect of initial BMI, on-treatment weight change, or lipid values at baseline on percentage changes in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TG). Multiple linear regression models, including initial BMI, on-treatment weight change, age, gender, and baseline lipid values, were fitted to control the influences exerted by these variables on each other.


RESULTS
Reductions in LDL-C after diet plus fibrate treatment for 12 weeks were inversely related to initial BMI and to TG levels at baseline, and were positively associated with baseline LDL-C concentrations and with on-treatment weight change (P < 0.001 for all analyses). Decreases in TG related negatively with initial BMI (P = 0.012), and positively with weight loss (P = 0.011) and TG at baseline (P < 0.001). Increases in HDL-C were negatively associated with initial BMI (P = 0.012) and with baseline TG (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The LDL-C lowering efficacy of fibrates is inversely related to initial BMI, and is positively associated with on-treatment weight loss.
Muls
E
E
Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nutrition, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Catholic University Leuven, Belgium.
Van Gaal
L
L
Autier
P
P
Vansant
G
G
D015992:Body Mass Index; D002995:Clofibric Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D011345:Fenofibrate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058607:Fibric Acids; D015248:Gemfibrozil / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D019821:Simvastatin; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
D058607:Fibric Acids; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D008055:Lipids; D002995:Clofibric Acid; D008148:Lovastatin; D019821:Simvastatin; C019304:ciprofibrate; D015248:Gemfibrozil; D011345:Fenofibrate