Aim

• To compare the effects of aggressive and standard lipid lowering therapy on the reduction of fasting triglyceride levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Patient Number

• 217

Drug Regimen

• Aggressive therapy (Atorvastatin 80 mg/day) vs. standard therapy (Atorvastatin 10 mg/day) vs. Placebo.

Study Duration

• 30 weeks.

Results

• Fasting triglycerides were reduced by 35% in the aggressive therapy group (Atorvastatin 80 mg) and by 25% in the standard therapy group (Atorvastatin 10 mg), compared to an increase of 10% in the placebo group.

• Significantly more patients receiving aggressive therapy (Atorvastatin 80 mg) achieved the American Diabetes Association (ADA) LDL cholesterol goal of < 100 mg/dl, compared to the standard therapy (Atorvastatin 10 mg) group (85 vs 71%).

• Atorvastatin therapy was associated with a significant reduction in C-reactive protein levels.

Conclusion

• Standard 10 mg/day dosage of atorvastatin is sufficient in most patients for achievement of ADA lipid goals.
• Standard therapy also adequately reduces LDL cholesterol in most patients, but for some, a higher dosage is needed to reach the target level.