Effects of Rosuvastatin on Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol and Plasma Lipids in Asian Patients with Hypercholesterolemia

AIMS: Rosuvastatin is more efficacious than other statins in lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Studies showing higher blood levels in Asians have resulted in concerns regarding increased adverse drug reactions. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of rosuvastatin in hypercholesterolemic Asian patients. METHODS: This retrospective observational study was conducted on statin-naive patients and statin-switch patients. Patients were treated with rosuvastatin for > or =8 weeks. Primary outcomes were changes in LDL-C levels and proportions of patients achieving their goals (primary prevention, LDL-C < or =130 mg/dL; secondary prevention, LDL-C< or =100 mg/dL). RESULTS: Of 1007 hypercholesterolemic patients, 483 were statin-naive (LDL-C 161+/-40.8 mg/dL) and 524 were statin-switch patients (LDL-C 132.7+/-36.9 mg/dL). In statin-naive patients, rosuvastatin significantly reduced LDL-C, total cholesterol, and triglycerides by 39.9%, 28.8%, and 9.2%, respectively (p<0.001). Eighty-one percent of these patients achieved LDL-C goals. In the statin-switch cohort, LDL-C, total cholesterol, and triglycerides levels were significantly reduced by 24.5%, 16.6%, and 3.8%, respectively (p<0.001). Achievement of target LDL-C levels increased from 29% to 72.9%. There was no significant adverse drug reaction. CONCLUSION: Rosuvastatin was well tolerated and effective in lowering LDL-C in hypercholesterolemic Asian patients. Patients whose LDL-C levels were suboptimal on other statins improved their levels and more achieved LDL-C goals after switching to rosuvastatin.