[One year fenofibrate treatment of type II primary hyperlipidaemia. Effects on lipoproteins and biological tolerance (author's transl)]

Abstract

The study involved 18 patients aged from 17 to 71 years with idiopathic type IIa hypercholesterolaemia and 10 patients aged from 34 to 67 years with type IIb mixed hyperlipidaemia (HLP). During a first period of at least 3 months, the patients were established on a diet adapted to each type of HLP. Fenofibrate in daily doses of 5 mg/kg bodyweight was then added to the dietetic regimen. The effectiveness of the drug was assessed after 6 months and 1 year. In type IIa HLP patients LDL-cholesterol decreased by 29-30%. In type IIb HLP patients there was a decrease of 45-70% in VLDL-cholesterol of 12-15% in LDL-cholesterol and of 38-61% in VLDL-triglycerides. HDL levels measured before treatment were slightly higher than those reported in the literature and were not significantly modified by fenofibrate, except for HDL-triglycerides in type IIa patients after 12 months' treatment. As in all previous studies on lipoprotein fractions, the decrease in VL-DL-cholesterol was not accompanied by an increase in LDL-cholesterol. Fenofibrate was well tolerated, both clinically and biologically. There were no changes in serum bilirubin levels. Alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly reduced but remained within physiological values. A slight increase in mean transaminase levels due to a transient rise in 4 patients was observed after 3 and 65 months' treatment. Routine measurements of these parameters are advised during long-term fenofibrate treatment.