Clinical efficacy of rosuvastatin in lipid management in Chinese patients in Hong Kong

<正> Background Rosuvastatin has been claimed to be more potent than other statins in its ability to lower the low-densitylipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. This study aimed to investigate the clinical efficacy of rosuvastatin in LDL cholesterollowering therapy for new or switched hyperlipidaemic Chinese patients.Methods This study was a retrospective one in patients who took rosuvastatin in the outpatient clinics of Prince ofWales Hospital during the period of July 1, 2004 to June 30, 2005. The prescribing pattern, the utilization pattern and theside effect profile were recorded. Attainment of lipid goals for each patient was assessed according to the NationalCholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP ATP) Ⅲ guidelines.Results A total of 261 Chinese patients (mean age (64.8±12) years; 55.6% male) were recruited into the study. Themean LDL-cholesterol level was (3.50-±1.29) mmol/L prior to Rosuvastatin and (2.30±1.73) mmol/L after Rosuvastatintreatment (P <0.0001). Rosuvastatin raised the LDL-cholesterol goal achievement rate from 28.0% to 74.3% in allpatients combined (P <0.0001) and from 11.0% to 79.0% for statin naive patients (P <0.0001). Approximately 4% ofpatients developed side effects including myalgia, elevated liver enzymes, and dizziness.Conclusion Rosuvastatin was effective in improving LDL-cholesterol goal attainment and lowering LDL-cholesterol andtriglyceride (TG) levels in either newly started or switched patients.