Effect of rosuvastatin compared with other statins on lipid levels and National Cholesterol Education Program goal attainment for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in a usual care setting.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To compare, in a usual care setting, the effects of rosuvastatin and other 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A inhibitors (statins) on lipid levels and on goal attainment of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) levels from the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) third report of the Adult Treatment Panel (ATP III).

DESIGN: Retrospective, longitudinal, cohort study.

DATA SOURCE: Managed care medical and pharmacy claims and laboratory database.

PATIENTS: A total of 8251 patients starting treatment with rosuvastatin, atorvastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, lovastatin, or fluvastatin from August 1, 2003-September 30, 2004, excluding those who received dyslipidemic therapy in the previous 12 months.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patients with at least one pretreatment and posttreatment lipid level were followed until their initial statin was changed or they reached the end of benefit eligibility or the study period. Percent changes in lipid levels were calculated, and adjusted changes in LDL and goal attainment were evaluated by regression techniques. Absolute and percent reductions in LDL, triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels were significantly greater with rosuvastatin than with other statins (all p<0.05 except for triglyceride reduction vs atorvastatin). After adjustment for age, sex, and baseline LDL, percent LDL reductions still were significantly greater with rosuvastatin than with other statins (p<0.05). Changes in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were not significant. Goal attainment was higher with rosuvastatin than with other statins after adjustment for age, sex, baseline LDL, risk status, dose, and duration of therapy (p<0.05). Dose-stratified analysis showed that LDL goal attainment was significantly higher with rosuvastatin 10 mg than with atorvastatin 10 or 20 mg.

CONCLUSION: Rosuvastatin was more effective than other statins in reducing LDL, triglyceride (except vs atorvastatin), and total cholesterol levels. Significantly more patients taking rosuvastatin than patients taking other statins attained their LDL goals.