Rosuvastatin better than atorvastatin for reaching LDL targets
Treatment with the lowest dose of rosuvastatin (Crestor) enables more patients with type 2 diabetes to reach target low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels than atorvastatin, according to the first comparative data in this group of patients.
Results showed that 94 per cent of patients with type 2 diabetes and
dyslipidaemia treated with rosuvastatin (10mg daily) reached the new
European LDL-cholesterol goal of <2.5mmol/L after eight weeks’ treatment.
This compared with 79 per cent of those randomised to the same dose of
atorvastatin (P<0.001). Results from the UK study, which included
509 patients, were reported earlier this week at the European Atherosclerosis
Society congress held in Seville. The study was funded by AstraZeneca.
Irene Gummerson, Moss Pharmacy, Wakefield, is a pharmacist with a specialist
interest in diabetes. She pointed out that pharmacists could help patients
who were not achieving appropriate lipid levels.
“It is important to reinforce advice and remove misconceptions
around use of statins,” she said. One misconception some patients
have is that if they make improvements to their diet then they do not
need
to continue taking a statin.
She added that concordance with treatment was also important. “Locally,
7 per cent of drugs brought back to pharmacies have been found to be
statins.” In response, a leaflet is being designed by Mrs Gummerson’s
primary care trust to help educate patients about use of statins. |
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