How to reach LDL targets quickly in patients with diabetes or metabolic syndrome

Leiter, L.A., Martineau, P., de Teresa, E., Frasang, C., Gaw, A., Gensini, G. and Langer, A. (2008) How to reach LDL targets quickly in patients with diabetes or metabolic syndrome. Journal of Family Practice, 57(10), pp. 661-668.

Abstract

Purpose To investigate whether using an algorithm to select the starting dose of a statin according to baseline and target LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) values would facilitate achieving lipid targets in patients with diabetes or the metabolic syndrome. Methods Two 12-week, prospective, open-label trials enrolled 2717 high-risk subjects, of whom 1024 had diabetes and 1251 had metabolic syndrome. Subjects with LDL-C between 100 and 220 mg/dL (2.6-5.7 mmol/L) were assigned a starting dose of atorvastatin (10, 20, 40, or 80 mg/d) based on LDL-C level and status of statin use at baseline (statin-free [SF] or statin-treated [ST]), with a single uptitration at 6 weeks, if required. Results Among patients with diabetes, 81 % of SF subjects (82%, 84%, 82%, and 76% with 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg, respectively) and 60% of ST subjects (61 %, 68 %, and 47 % with 20, 40, and 80 mg, respectively) achieved LDL-C target. Among patients with metabolic syndrome, 78% of SF subjects (81 %, 84%, 82%, and 66% with 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg, respectively) and 57% of ST subjects (58%, 70%, and 47% with 20, 40, and 80 mg, respectively) achieved LDL-C target. Among ST subjects, we observed reductions in LDL-C with atorvastatin beyond those achieved with other statins used at baseline in patients with diabetes and patients with metabolic syndrome. Atorvastatin was well tolerated. Conclusions The ACTFAST studies confirm that a targeted starting dose of atorvastatin allows most patients with type 2 diabetes or the metabolic syndrome to achieve their LDL-C target safely with the initial dose or just a single titration. This therapeutic strategy may help overcome the treatment gap still observed in the treatment of lipids in diabetes.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Gaw, Dr Allan
• Authors: Leiter, L.A., Martineau, P., de Teresa, E., Frasang, C., Gaw, A., Gensini, G., and Langer, A.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
• Journal Name: Journal of Family Practice
• ISSN: 0094-3509