Comparison of the efficacy of rosuvastatin versus atorvastatin, simvastatin, and pravastatin in achieving lipid goals: results from the STELLAR trial

Abstract

In the Statin Therapies for Elevated Lipid Levels compared Across doses to Rosuvastatin (STELLAR) trial, the efficacy of rosuvastatin calcium (Crestor) was compared with that of atorvastatin (Lipitor), simvastatin (Zocor), and pravastatin (Pravachol) for lowering plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) after 6 weeks of treatment. In this multicenter, parallel-group, open-label trial, adults with hypercholesterolemia were randomized to treatments with rosuvastatin 10, 20, 40, or 80 mg, atorvastatin 10, 20, 40, or 80 mg, simvastatin 10, 20, 40, or 80 mg, or pravastatin 10, 20, or 40 mg. Efficacy and safety results from this trial have been previously published. The additional analyses included in this report show that 53% (83/156) to 80% (125/157) of patients in the rosuvastatin 10- to 40-mg groups achieved LDL-C levels < 100 mg/dl (< 2.6 mmol/l), compared with 18% (28/158) to 70% (115/165) of patients who received atorvastatin, 8% (13/165) to 53% (86/163) of patients who received simvastatin, and 1% (1/160) to 8% (13/161) of patients who received pravastatin. Other additional analyses showed that more patients in the rosuvastatin 10- to 40-mg groups than in the comparator groups who were at high risk of coronary heart disease according to National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III, Joint European Societies, or Canadian guidelines achieved the LDL-C goals of < 100 mg/dl (< 2.6 mmol/l) (55% to 77% compared with 0 to 64%), < 3.0 mmol/l (< 116 mg/dl) (76% to 94% compared with 6% to 81%), and < 2.5 mmol/l (< 97 mg/dl) (47% to 69% compared with 0 to 53%), respectively. Results favoring rosuvastatin versus the comparators were also reported for patients: (a) who had triglycerides > or = 200mg/dl (> or = 2.3 mmol/l), and achieved both ATP III LDL-C and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) goals (80% to 84% versus 15% to 84%); (b) overall who achieved the Canadian LDL-C goals of < 2.5 (< 97 mg/dl) to < 5.0 mmol/l (< 193 mg/dl) (85% to 91% versus 44% to 86%); and (c) who achieved all 3 Canadian goals for LDL-C, triglycerides (< 3.0 mmol/l [< 266 mg/dl] to < 2.0 mmol/l [< 177 mg/dl]), and the total cholesterol/high-density lipoproteincholesterol ratio (< 4 to < 7) (70% to 83% versus 35% to 79%).