Hypercholesterolemia; comparison of the efficacy of simvastatin 20mg with atorvastatin 20mg in lowering low density lipoprotein in patients with hypercholesterolemia

ABSTRACT

To compare the efficacy of Simvastatin with Atorvastatin in lowering Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol [LDL-C] in patients with Hypercholesterolemia in a tertiary care hospital. Prospective, observational, single center study. Department of Medicine, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar. December 2011 to December 2012. A total of 200 cases having base line fasting LDL-C level of >/= 130 mg/dl and meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the study through both outpatient department [OPD] and admitted patient. After detailed history and clinical examination, all patients were divided randomly into two groups, A and B. Patients in Group A were given Simvastatin 20mg/day and Group B received Atorvastatin 20mg/day. Fasting blood samples were taken from the selected patients in the start of study and after 12 weeks. A total of 200 subjects with a serum LDL-C level >/= 130 mg/dL were included in the study. They were divided into 2 groups randomly, 100 in each group. Each group comprised of 75 male and 25 female. The mean age in group A was 52 years and in group B it was 54 years. The age ranges between 40 years and 73 years. Mean base LDL-C level was 165 mg/dl in group A and 170mg/dl in group B. Simvastatin 20 mg/dl reduced LDL-C level by 26% and Atorvastatin 20mg/dl reduced LDL-C level by 33% after 12 weeks of treatment. Atorvastatin is a more effective drug to reduce serum LDL cholesterol than Simvastatin in the same doses