Impact of different starting doses of atorvastatin on reaching target low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and health related quality of life in dyslipidemic patients.

Objectives : 1. To compare the percentage of patients that reach target LDL-C goals with 10 mg Vs. 20 mg of atorvastatin as a starting dose. 2. To compare Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) in patients on 10 mg Vs. 20 mg of atorvastatin. Methods : A prospective, double blind, parallel groups, unicentric study of patients of dyslipidemia, randomized to receive atorvastatin 10 mg (n=75) or atorvastatin 20 mg (n=75) once daily for 12 weeks. Safety reporting of incidence of adverse events was done. Results : Significantly more number of patients (P<0.05) reached target LDL-C levels at the end of 12 weeks in the 20 mg group (77.27% in the high risk group, 100% in moderately high risk group and 100% in the moderate risk group) when compared to 10 mg group (32% in the high risk group, 75% in moderately high risk group and 83.33% in the moderate risk group). Increase in HRQOL at the end of 12 weeks was also significantly greater (P<0.001) in 20 mg group (27.89%) vs. 10 mg group (19.26%). Conclusions : Selecting the starting dose of atorvastatin according to the patients risk category (by using the Framingham’s algorithm for calculating cardiovascular risk) and the percentage reduction in LDL required, will result in greater success in achieving LDL goals and better quality of life.