Clinical efficacy of rosuvastatin in lipid management in Chinese patients in Hong Kong.
BACKGROUND
Rosuvastatin has been claimed to be more potent than other statins in its ability to lower the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. This study aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of rosuvastatin in LDL cholesterol lowering therapy for new or switched hyperlipidaemic Chinese patients.


METHODS
This study was a retrospective one in patients who took rosuvastatin in the outpatient clinics of Prince of Wales Hospital during the period of July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005. The prescribing pattern, the utilization pattern and the side effect profile were recorded. Attainment of lipid goals for each patient was assessed according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP ATP) III guidelines.


RESULTS
A total of 261 Chinese patients (mean age (64.8 +/- 12) years; 55.6% male) were recruited into the study. The mean LDL-cholesterol level was (3.50 +/- 1.29) mmol/L prior to Rosuvastatin and (2.30 +/- 1.73) mmol/L after Rosuvastatin treatment (P < 0.0001). Rosuvastatin raised the LDL-cholesterol goal achievement rate from 28.0% to 74.3% in all patients combined (P < 0.0001) and from 11.0% to 79.0% for statin naive patients (P < 0.0001). Approximately 4% of patients developed side effects including myalgia, elevated liver enzymes, and dizziness.


CONCLUSIONS
Rosuvastatin was effective in improving LDL-cholesterol goal attainment and lowering LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) levels in either newly started or switched patients.
Lee
Vivian W Y
VW
School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China. vivianlee@cuhk.edu.hk
Chau
T S
TS
Leung
Vice P H
VP
Lee
Kenneth K C
KK
Tomlinson
Brian
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005464:Fluorobenzenes / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011743:Pyrimidines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D000068718:Rosuvastatin Calcium; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D005464:Fluorobenzenes; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D011743:Pyrimidines; D013449:Sulfonamides; D000068718:Rosuvastatin Calcium