Serum lipid comparison in patients treated by statins or fibrates: existence of bad HDL-C responders to statins.

Introduction — Major cardiac events are strongly associated with high levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C).The HDLC target level (40 mg/dl) is often not achieved with statins. The aim of this study was to compare the proportions of patients achieving the HDL-C target levels after one year of treatment with statins or fibrates. Furthermore, a subgroup with low HDL-C levels during statin treatment was investigated and suggestions are made for a better management of these patients.Methods — A survey of lipid levels, cardiovascular disease and risk factors in 120 outpatients treated with a statin or a fibrate for hyperlipidaemia (total cholesterol (TC) >250 mg/dl or triglycerides (TG) > 200 mg/dl after diet). After one year of treatment the proportions of patients achieving the target levels for TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, TG, TC/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C are compared for statins and fibrates.Results — The proportions of patients achieving the ...