Statin efficacy and safety for lipid modification in apparently healthy male military aircrew.
BACKGROUND
Military aircrew men represent an elite group of relatively young, fit, and healthy people. The effectiveness of statin treatment in reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) according to the current National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) guidelines, its safety, and compliance in this group of people has not yet been determined.


METHODS
We prospectively evaluated 84 military aircrew men (mean age 43 +/- 7 yr) with LDL-C above the current NCEP guidelines. The patients were divided into two groups according to their coronary risk factors: Group 1, LDL-C goal < 160 mg x dL(-1); Group 2, LDL-C goal < 130 mg dL(-1). All patients received statins in addition to therapeutic lifestyle changes and were followed for a mean of 3 +/- 1 yr according to a simple flow chart. Lipoprotein levels, liver function tests, creatinine phosphokinase, and subjective adverse reactions were checked periodically.


RESULTS
LDL-C significantly declined by 32% (p < 0.0001) within the first month of treatment and 99% of subjects achieved their LDL-C goal within 114 +/-35 d from statin therapy initiation. The Framingham estimated 10-yr coronary risk showed a reduction at an average of 12 mo after statin therapy initiation from a baseline value of 6.54% to 3.95% (p = 0.003). No subjects were grounded or disqualified from duty, there were no cardiovascular events during follow-up, and compliance to therapy was high [82/84 (98%)].


CONCLUSIONS
Statin treatment in this highly select, relatively young group of aircrew men significantly and safely lowered LDL-C cholesterol levels.
Beigel
Roy
R
Heart Institute, Chaim Sheba Medical Center and the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
Barenboim
Erez
E
Sofer
Bella Azaria
BA
Matetzky
Shlomi
S
Goldstein
Liav
L
Beigel
Yitzhak
Y
Shechter
Michael
M
D000328:Adult; D000337:Aerospace Medicine; D000367:Age Factors; D001359:Aviation; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008887:Military Medicine; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012449:Safety; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors