Title

Sex-related differences in response of plasma lipids to simvastatin: the Saitama Postmenopausal Lipid Intervention Study .

Purpose

To evaluate tolerability and sex-related differences in the response of serum lipids to simvastatin administered in postmenopausal women and men with hypercholesterolemia .

Design

Multicenter study

Patients

122 postmenopausal women and 55 men with serum total cholesterol levels ³ 220 mg/dl .

Follow-up

12 months

Treatment regimen

Simvastatin

Results

• Mean percentage changes in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels in women (20% and 28%, respectively) were
significantly greater than those in men (15% and 20%, respectively)
• There were no sex-related differences in the percentage changes in triglycerides or HDL cholesterol levels, although
the changes were influenced by baseline levels

Conclusion

Simvastatin therapy for 12 months is well tolerated and effective for both women and men with hypercholesterolemia. Sex-related differences occurred in response to simvastatin therapy of serum lipids, especially total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, with greater changes in lipid levels occurring in women.