English

Abstract

CONTEXT (BACKGROUND): Dyslipidemia has been recognized as main reason for development of atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. Statin group of drugs are most commonly prescribed for the treatment of dyslipidemia. Among them atorvastatin and relatively new drug rosuvastatin are prescribed more frequently. AIM: The aim of the study was to compare effectiveness of rosuvastatin and atorvastatin in dyslipidemia and achieving the treatment goals set by ATP III and Asian Indian Guidelines. SETTING AND DESIGN: This 12 weeks, open label, randomized study was conducted at the Department of Pharmacology and Medicine, Government Medical College, Amritsar (Punjab), India. METHODS AND MATERIAL: Patients aged 30 - 70 years with dyslipidemia were eligible. Patients were assigned one of two treatment groups. Group I received atorvastatin and group II received atorvastatin. Both drugs were given in dose 10 mg/d for 12 weeks. The lipid profile low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (non HDL-C), triglycerides (TG) and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C) were measured before the start of therapy and after 12 weeks. Percentage changes from baseline were calculated and adverse effects were recorded. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Paired Student's't' test was applied within the group after treatment interval and unpaired't' test is applied when 2 groups are compared. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Sixty patients (31 men, 29 women) were enrolled; 30 patients per treatment group. In group I, mean percentage decrease in levels of TC, LDC-C, non-HDL-C, TG and VLDL-C were 28.15%, 30.77%, 37.28%, 50.75% and 50.75% respectively whereas mean percentage increase in HDL-C was 32.15% at 12 weeks. In group II, mean percentage decrease in levels of TC, LDC-C, non- HDL-C, TG and VLDL-C were 42.26%, 49.03%, 51.15%, 60.91% and 60.91% respectively whereas mean percentage increase in HDL-C was 29.26%. Myalgia, nausea, vomiting and headache were the adverse effects observed in both groups. Rosuvastatin is more effective than atorvastatin in achieving the targets of TC (100% vs 96.66%), LDL-C (100% vs 53.33%) set by ATP III guidelines and targets of TC (73.33% vs 6.66%), LDL-C (66.66% vs 3.33%) respectively set by Asian Indian guidelines.