title: The difference between Asian and Western in the effect of LDL-C lowering therapy on coronary atherosclerotic plaque: a meta-analysis report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The different effects of LDL-C levels and statins therapy on coronary atherosclerotic plaque between Western and Asian remain to be settled.
  
  
  METHODS
  PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched from Jan. 2000 to Sep. 2014 for randomized controlled or blinded end-points trials assessing the effects of LDL-C lowering therapy on regression of coronary atherosclerotic plaque (CAP) in patients with coronary heart disease by intravascular ultrasound. The significance of plaques regression was assessed by computing standardized mean difference (SMD) of the volume of CAP between the baseline and follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty trials (ten in the West and ten in Asia) were identified. For Westerns, Mean lowering LDL-C by 49.4% and/or to level 61.9 mg/dL in the group of patients with baseline mean LDL-C 123.2 mg/dL could significantly reduce the volume of CAP at follow up (SMD -0.156 mm(3), 95% CI -0.248 ~ -0.064, p = 0.001). LDL-C lowering by rosuvastatin (mean 40 mg daily) could significantly decrease the volumes of CAP at follow up. For Asians, Mean lowering LDL-C by 36.1% and/or to level 84.0 mg/dL with baseline mean LDL-C 134.2 mg/dL could significantly reduce the volume of CAP at follow up (SMD -0.211 mm(3), 95% CI -0.331 ~ -0.092, p = 0.001). LDL-C lowering by rosuvastatin (mean 14.1 mg daily) and atorvastatin (mean 18.9 mg daily) could significantly decrease the volumes of CAP at follow up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was a different effect of LDL-C lowering on CAP between Westerns and Asians. For regressing CAP, Asians need lower dosage of statins or lower intensity LDL-C lowering therapy than Westerns.
authors.affiliation: The Department of Cardiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Fuxing Road 28, Beijing, 100853, China. lyf301@yahoo.com.cn.
authors.forename: Yu-Feng
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: The Department of Cardiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Fuxing Road 28, Beijing, 100853, China. fqz301@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Quan-Zhou
authors.initials: QZ
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.affiliation: The First Department of Geriatric Cardiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100853, China. gaowq301@163.com.
authors.forename: Wen-Qian
authors.initials: WQ
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: The First Clinics, Administrative and Supportive Bureau, Chinese PLA General Logistics Department, Jia 14, Fuxing Road 22, Beijing, 100842, China. 767968971@qq.com.
authors.forename: Xiu-Jing
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: The Department of Cardiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Fuxing Road 28, Beijing, 100853, China. huangya365@126.com.
authors.forename: Ya
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: The Department of Cardiology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Fuxing Road 28, Beijing, 100853, China. cyundai@medmail.com.cn.
authors.forename: Yun-Dai
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D001208:Asia; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D018450:Disease Progression; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D058226:Plaque, Atherosclerotic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019366:Western World
chemical_list: D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors