HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA;

COMPARISON OF THE EFFICACY OF SIMVASTATIN 20MG WITH ATORVASTATIN 20MG IN LOWERING LOW DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN IN PATIENTS WITH HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy of Simvastatin with Atorvastatin in lowering
Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) in patients with Hypercholesterolemia in a tertiary
care hospital. Design: Prospective, observational, single center study. Setting: Department of
Medicine, Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar. Period: December 2011 to December 2012.
Subjects and Methods: A total of 200 cases having base line fasting LDL-C level of ≥ 130 mg/dl
and meeting the inclusion criteria were included in the study through both outpatient department
(OPD) and admitted patient. After detailed history and clinical examination, all patients were
divided randomly into two groups, A and B. Patients in Group A were given Simvastatin
20mg/day and Group B received Atorvastatin 20mg/day. Fasting blood samples were taken from
the selected patients in the start of study and after 12 weeks. Results: A total of 200 subjects with
a serum LDL-C level ≥ 130 mg/dL were included in the study. They were divided into 2 groups
randomly, 100 in each group. Each group comprised of 75 male and 25 female. The mean age in
group A was 52 years and in group B it was 54 years. The age ranges between 40 years and 73
years. Mean base LDL-C level was 165 mg/dl in group A and 170mg/dl in group B. Simvastatin 20
mg/dl reduced LDL-C level by 26% and Atorvastatin 20mg/dl reduced LDL-C level by 33% after 12
weeks of treatment. Conclusions: Atorvastatin is a more effective drug to reduce serum LDLcholesterol
than Simvastatin in the same doses.