THE EFFECTS OF LOW-DOSE ROSUVASTATIN ALONE OR IN COMBINATION WITH FENOFIBRATE OR OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS IN MIXED DYSLIPIDEMIA

Objective Mixed dyslipidemia is characterized by elevated cholesterol and triglycerides. Indians have high prevalence of this pattern. The aim of present study was to evaluate the effects of rosuvastatin and in combination with fenofibrate or omega-3-FAs on lipids and hsCRP. Methods This was an open-label randomized study. Patients were allocated to low-dose rosuvastatin(R), rosuvastatin plus fenofibrate (RF) or rosuvastatin plus omega-3-FA(RO). At 6-weeks and 12-weeks follow-up, lipid lowering effect and change in hsCRP was studied. Results The study involved 105 participants (M/F=68/37) with a mean age of 57±13 years. At end of 6 and 12-weeks, there was significant reduction in TC, LDL-C, TG and hsCRP in all treatment groups, but increase in HDL-C became significant at 12-weeks. Percentage reduction in TC was 21%vs17%vs23% at 6-weeks and 31%vs37%vs35% at 12-weeks in group R, RF and RO, respectively. At 12-weeks, reduction in LDL-C was 22% in R vs 45% in RF vs 18% in RO and increase in HDL-C was 3.8% in R vs 7.6% in RF vs 15.8% in RO. Percentage reduction in triglycerides was 18%vs31% vs30% at 6 weeks and 23%vs52%vs51% at 12-weeks. Conclusion The mixed dyslipidemic patients responded well in terms of significant reduction in TC, LDL-C, and improving HDL-C and inflammation across all study groups. However, combination of low-dose-rosuvastatin plus fenofibrate or omega-3-FAs had more potent effect in reducing triglycerides and also in percentage increase in HDL-C, when compared with rosuvastatin alone. Omega-3 FAs, therefore, seem to be an attractive alternative to fibrates in patients with mixed dyslipidemia.