title: Comparative analysis of the efficacy of low- and moderate-intensity statins in Korea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) guidelines are based on studies with a limited number of Asian subjects; therefore, they are difficult to apply to Asian patients, including Korean patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were extracted from the clinical data warehouse system of Seoul St. Mary's hospital (January 2010 - December 2012) to determine the percent change in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels at an average 3 and 6 months from baseline. Statins with statistically similar lowering effects were placed in one group (group A, B, or C). The proportions of patients who achieved LDL-C < 100 mg/dL were compared between baseline LDL-C levels: low (< 130 mg/dL), medium (130 - 160 mg/dL), and high (> 160 mg/dL).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of the 9 statins of various doses (2,349 patients) were effective at 3 months, with additional, smaller decreases at 6 months. The LDL-C lowering effect of group A (atorvastatin (20 mg), rosuvastatin (10 mg)) was ~ 45%; that of group B (atorvastatin (10 mg), pitavastatin (2 mg), pravastatin (40 mg), simvastatin (20 mg)) was 35 - 37%. groups A and B contained only moderate-intensity statins (ACC/AHA guidelines). With baseline LDL-C ≥ 130 mg/dL, greater proportions of patients achieved LDL-C < 100 mg with atorvastatin (20 mg) and rosuvastatin (10 mg).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because of the demonstrated LDL-C lowering effects and target achievement rates, the ACC/AHA guidelines might not apply to Korean patients. Korean treatment guidelines should consider statins with relatively low potency. Additional studies regarding appropriate statin doses should be conducted with Asian populations.
authors.forename: Hun-Sung
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyeseon
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Bumjoon
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Seungho
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Hyunah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Seung-Hwan
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jae Hyoung
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Kun-Ho
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Bong-Yun
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Cha
authors.forename: Ju Han
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: In Young
authors.initials: IY
authors.lastname: Choi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D044466:Asian People; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors