Effect of Rosuvastatin 2.5mg on Achieving Lipid Goals Defined by the 2007 Japan Atherosclerosis Society Guidelines / Journal of Rural Medicine

ABSTRACT

<b>Objective:</b> The aim of the study was to assess the effect of rosuvastatin 2.5 mg, an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, on achieving lipid goals defined by the 2007 Japan Atherosclerosis Society guidelines.<br> <b>Subjects and Methods:</b> Thirty-seven patients with moderate to high risk hypercholesterolemia (Mean age: 64.8 ± 8.4) were treated with 2.5 mg/day of rosuvastatin and their lipid and hepatic function parameters were measured at the baseline and at Weeks 4 and 8.<br> <b>Results:</b> At 4 and 8 weeks after start of treatment, 74.1% and 92.6% of moderate risk patients, as well as 70% and 80% of high risk patients, achieved their LDL-C goals, respectively. In both moderate and high risk patients, the mean LDL-C/HDL-C ratio, which is considered as a prospective index for plaque regression, was significantly reduced (p<0.001 for both the moderate and high risk groups), and the mean LDL-C/HDL-C ratio decreased to less than 2 in moderate risk patients. No abnormal changes were observed in hepatic function tests during the study.<br> <b>Conclusion:</b> More than 80% of moderate to high risk patients with hypercholesterolemia achieved their lipid goals and the mean LDL-C/HDL-C ratio was significantly reduced after the 8-week short treatment of rosuvastatin 2.5 mg, suggesting the clinical possibility of continuous use of rosuvastatin for plaque regression.<br>