Differential effects of lipid-lowering therapies on stroke prevention: a meta-analysis of randomized trials.
BACKGROUND
Previous overviews suggested that hydroxymethyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins), but not other lipid-lowering therapy (LLT), may reduce stroke incidence in coronary patients.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the amplitude and sources of heterogeneity of LLT effects on stroke prevention.


METHODS
We searched the literature from 1966 to 2001 and then conducted a meta-analysis including randomized trials of primary and secondary coronary heart disease prevention, testing statins, nonstatin drugs, diet, or other interventions and providing data on stroke incidence.


RESULTS
The meta-analysis (38 trials, 83 161 patients, mean follow-up of 4.7 years) showed a significant relative risk reduction (RRR) of strokes by LLT of 17% (P<.001), without significant heterogeneity between trials and between subgroups according to either the type of prevention (primary or secondary) or the type of LLT. The most substantial effects were obtained, however, with statins (RRR, 26%). Effect model analysis showed that treatment benefit appeared constant whatever the risk of stroke, suggesting that LLT may be effective in a population with a higher risk of stroke. Weighted regression showed a significant correlation between RRR of stroke and total cholesterol levels (baseline, final, and change). Only final cholesterol allowed clear separation between benefit (RRR>0) and no effect (RRR<0) of LLT on stroke incidence, with a cutoff for benefit of 232 mg/dL (6.0 mmol/L).


CONCLUSIONS
Lipid-lowering therapy reduces stroke incidence in coronary patients, especially when total cholesterol level is lowered to less than 232 mg/dL (6.0 mmol/L), which explains the best results being obtained with statins.
Corvol
Jean-Christophe
JC
Service de Pharmacologie, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire, Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France.
Bouzamondo
Anissa
A
Sirol
Marc
M
Hulot
Jean-Sébastien
JS
Sanchez
Paola
P
Lechat
Philippe
P
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D002792:Cholestyramine Resin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002994:Clofibrate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003084:Colestipol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015248:Gemfibrozil / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D017035:Pravastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012044:Regression Analysis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017211:Treatment Failure; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D011758:Pyrroles; D002792:Cholestyramine Resin; D008148:Lovastatin; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D019821:Simvastatin; D002994:Clofibrate; D003084:Colestipol; D017035:Pravastatin; D015248:Gemfibrozil