Efficacy of low-dose pravastatin in patients with mild hyperlipidemia associated with type II diabetes mellitus

Abstract

A 16 week, randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled study was designed to determine the effects of low-dose pravastatin on cholesterol concentrations in patients with mild hypercholesterolemia and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Following a 6-to 8-week dietary run-in period, a mean serum total cholesterol (TC) level > 5.2 mmol/L (200 mg/dL), but < 7.8 mmol/L (300 mg/dL) was required for entry. Metabolic control of diabetes was determined by a hemoglobin Alc (HbAlc) level less than twice the upper limit of normal on two occasions. Eighty six (86) patients recruited in 5 French diabetic clinics, were randomized in a ratio of 1:1 (pravastatin 10 mg or placebo), and 74 completed the study. There were 12 discontinuations: 5 (11.6%) in the pravastatin group and 7 (16.3%) in the placebo group. Drop-out was due to an adverse event in 1 patient (2.3%) in the pravastatin group and in 5 patients (11.6%) in the placebo group. Thirty five (35) placebo patients and 14 pravastatin patients had their dose of treatment doubled at week 8: the dose of treatment was to be doubled at week 8 in the event of non-response to treatment (TC at week 7 > 5.2 mmol/L and TC decrease < 15% from baseline). At week 16, pravastatin lowered TC from 6.4 to 5.6 mmol/L (-13.8%, p < 0.001 versus placebo), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) from 4.3 to 3.4 mmol/L (-20.4%, p < 0.001 versus placebo) and slightly increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) from 1.18 to 1.25 mmol/L (+6.7%). Side effects were similar in both groups. Blood glucose control was not altered as assessed by serial HbAlc measurements which were unchanged during treatment. This study demonstrated that low-dose pravastatin is effective in lowering cholesterol levels in patients with hypercholesterolemia and NIDDM.