Economic implications of lipid-lowering trials: current considerations in selecting a statin.
Little doubt remains about the value of lipid-lowering therapy since publication of the results of large, randomized, controlled trials that show decreased total, as well as coronary, mortality with the use of statins for primary and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease. All of the available statins are effective and safe, but they vary greatly in terms of cost-effectiveness. Fluvastatin has been determined to be a cost-effective therapeutic agent in the large proportion of the population with mild-to-moderate dyslipidemia who fit treatment guidelines of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP). Atorvastatin and simvastatin are cost-effective for the relatively smaller number of patients who require greater reductions in cholesterol.
Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Ben Taub General Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
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JA
Farmer
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D008055:Lipids; D002784:Cholesterol