Effect of Rosuvastatin 2.5 mg on Achieving Lipid Goals Defined by the 2007 Japan Atherosclerosis Society Guidelines

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of rosuvastatin 2.5 mg, an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, on achieving lipid goals defined by the 2007 Japan Atherosclerosis Society guidelines. Subjects and Methods: Thirty-seven patients with moderate to high risk hypercholesterolemia (Mean age: 64.8 ± 8.4) were treated with 2.5 mg/day of rosuvastatin and their lipid and hepatic function parameters were measured at the baseline and at Weeks 4 and 8. Results: At 4 and 8 weeks after start of treatment, 74.1% and 92.6% of moderate risk patients, as well as 70% and 80% of high risk patients, achieved their LDL-C goals, respectively. In both moderate and high risk patients, the mean LDL-C/HDL-C ratio, which is considered as a prospective index for plaque regression, was significantly reduced (p<0.001 for both the moderate and high risk groups), and the mean LDL-C/HDL-C ratio decreased to less than 2 in moderate risk patients. No abnormal changes were observed in hepatic function tests during the study. Conclusion: More than 80% of moderate to high risk patients with hypercholesterolemia achieved their lipid goals and the mean LDL-C/HDL-C ratio was significantly reduced after the 8-week short treatment of rosuvastatin 2.5 mg, suggesting the clinical possibility of continuous use of rosuvastatin for plaque regression.

Impact of Intensive Lipid Lowering on Lipid Profiles Over Time and Tolerability in Stable Coronary Artery Disease: Insights From a Subanalysis of the Coronary Atherosclerosis Study Measuring Effects of Rosuvastatin Using Intravascular Ultrasound in Japanese Subjects (COSMOS)

“…In Japan, the starting dose of rosuvastatin is usually 2.5 or 5 mg/day, and this may be titrated up to 20 mg/day. Doses of rosuvastatin as low as 2.5 mg/day were reported to reduce low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) concentrations and help patients to achieve the LDL‐C target recommended in the Japan Atherosclerosis Society (JAS 2007) guidelines for primary prevention, with a good safety profile . However, this dose is sometimes too low for patients with a high risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) or refractory hyperlipidemic patients.…”