Comparison of pravastatin and diet in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia

: Aim of this study is to point out a correct therapy for the treatment of poligenic hypercholesterolemia resistant to dietetic treatment. There have been studied 40 patients which, after repeated haematochemical controls, resulted affected by dyslipidaemia with prevalent increase of the cholesterol levels. After 30 days of standard hypo-caloric dietetic treatment were enrolled 23 patients, 13 males and 10 females, who presented a plasmatic cholesterol level superior to 250 mg% and LDL superior to 160 mg%. All the patients continued the dietetic treatment; 10 patients began pravastatin therapy at a dose of 20 mg/die while to the rest of them was given placebo. The 30th, 60th, 120th day were controlled the following haematochemical parameters: lipidic frame haematology, hepatic and renal function, glycemia and CPK. After 4 months of treatment the average plasmatic levels of cholesterol resulted different in the two groups: mg% (p < 0.001) in the pravastatin group and 262 mg% (P = ns) in the control group. Then, the pravastatin therapy was suspended and all 23 patients continued for 30 days, dietetic treatment and placebo. After 6 months a new control of the lipidic frame was performed. Our results showed that the hypocholesterolic therapy must be continued for ever. In fact, the suspension of the treatment is followed by an immediate rebound of the dislipidaemia which plasmatic cholesterol levels even superior to the basic levels with probable negative repercussion on the cardiovascular system.