Objective To evaluate whether the effects of HMG CoA reductase inhibitors on patients with hyperlipidemia are closely related
to baseline lipid levels. Methods The data analyzed were originated from 3 separate multicenter clinical trials with similar designs during 1994 to 1999. 166 patients with mean age (58 9±9 2) years were involved in Simvastatin Clinical Trial with simvastatin 10 mg once daily for 8 weeks. 146 patients with mean age (57 9±8 7) years were involved in
Lovastatin Clinical Trial with lovastatin 20 mg once daily for 8 weeks. 105 patients with mean age (57 8±9 3) years were involved in
Atorvastatin Clinical Trial with atorvastatin 10 mg once daily for 6 weeks. Baseline total cholesterol (TC) was more than 5 98mmol·L -1 , and baseline triglyceride(TG) was less than 4 52 mmol·L -1 . The patients were grouped by baseline lipid levels.Results The higher the baseline TC, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL C) and TG levels were, the more effective the simvastatin, lovastatin, or atorvastatin was in reducing serum TC, LDL C, and TG, respectively. A positive linear correlation was found between baseline values and effects of simvastatin, lovastatin, or atorvastatin in reducing serum TC, LDL C, and TG, respectively.Conclusion The changes of reduction on serum lipid with HMG CoA reductase inhibitors in patients with hyperlipidemia were influenced by baseline lipid levels.