More Western hypercholesterolemic patients achieve Japan Atherosclerosis Society LDL-C goals with rosuvastatin therapy than with atorvastatin, pravastatin, or simvastatin therapy.
BACKGROUND
Data from Western comparative trials suggest that rosuvastatin is more effective than atorvastatin, simvastatin, and pravastatin in helping hypercholesterolemic patients achieve US and European lipid-lowering guidelines. The purpose of this analysis was to assess the comparative efficacy of rosuvastatin in reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) to levels recommended by the Japan Atherosclerosis Society (JAS).


RESULTS
A post hoc analysis of data from 6 randomized, double-blind, active-controlled trials was conducted to evaluate the relative efficacy of rosuvastatin and comparator statins in helping patients achieve the LDL-C goals established by the JAS. The first 5 trials, prospectively designed for pooling, were originally conducted to compare the effects of rosuvastatin with either atorvastatin, simvastatin, or pravastatin in reducing lipid levels and helping patients achieve the LDL-C goals established by the National Cholesterol Education Program. The 6th trial was conducted with similar objectives, but in patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH). Data from 2,139 hypercholesterolemic patients in the first 5 trials were pooled for analysis: rosuvastatin 5 mg (n=390) or 10 mg (n=389) vs atorvastatin 10 mg (n=393); rosuvastatin 5 mg (n=240) or 10 mg (n=226) vs simvastatin 20 mg (n=249) or pravastatin 20 mg (n=252). In the studies with atorvastatin as the comparator, JAS-defined LDL-C goals were reached by 67.2% of the rosuvastatin 5-mg group, 82.3% of the rosuvastatin 10-mg group, and 58.0% of the atorvastatin 10-mg group (p<0.001 for both rosuvastatin groups vs atorvastatin) at 12 weeks. Similarly, in the trials with pravastatin and simvastatin as comparators, the JAS LDL-C goals were reached by 77.5% of the rosuvastatin 5-mg group, 86.7% of the rosuvastatin 10-mg group, 45.2% of the pravastatin 20-mg group and 65.5% of the simvastatin 20-mg group (p<0.001 for both rosuvastatin groups vs pravastatin and simvastatin). In the trial of HeFH patients (n=433 for rosuvastatin, n=187 for atorvastatin), 31.9% of patients treated with rosuvastatin 20 mg achieved JAS LDL-C goals, compared with 17.6% of patients treated with atorvastatin 20 mg (p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Rosuvastatin has demonstrated clinical superiority over atorvastatin, pravastatin, and simvastatin in reducing LDL-C levels and in enabling patients to reach goals established by the JAS.
Strutt
Kristina
K
AstraZeneca, Alderley Park, Cheshire, United Kingdom. kristina.strutt@astrazeneca.com
Caplan
Richard
R
Hutchison
Howard
H
Dane
Aaron
A
Blasetto
James
J
D000368:Aged; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D005464:Fluorobenzenes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D017035:Pravastatin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards / Q000627:therapeutic use; D044469:Racial Groups; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D000068718:Rosuvastatin Calcium; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D005464:Fluorobenzenes; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D011743:Pyrimidines; D011758:Pyrroles; D013449:Sulfonamides; D000068718:Rosuvastatin Calcium; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D019821:Simvastatin; D017035:Pravastatin