Benefits of Intensive Lipid Lowering in CVD, Diabetes And Chronic Kidney Disease

The use of 80mg of atorvastatin reduced the relative risk of major cardiovascular events by 35% in patients with diabetes and CKD (20.9% vs 13.9%) and by 10% in patients with diabetes and normal eGFR (14.1% vs 12.8%).

The aim of this study by researchers from the UK was to investigate the effect of intensive lipid lowering with high-dose atorvastatin on the incidence of major cardiovascular events compared with low-dose atorvastatin in patients with coronary artery disease and type 2 diabetes, with and without chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Following 8 weeks’ open- label therapy with atorvastatin (10 mg/d), 10,001 patients with coronary artery disease were randomized to receive double-blind therapy with either 80 mg/d or 10 mg/d of atorvastatin between July 1, 1998, and December 31, 1999. Of 1501 patients with diabetes, renal data were available for 1431. Patients with CKD were defined as having a baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) below 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2, using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation.

They found that after a median follow-up of 4.8 years, 95 (17.4%) of 546 patients with diabetes and CKD experienced a major cardiovascular event vs 119 (13.4%) of 885 patients with diabetes and normal eGFRs (hazard ratio [HR], 1.32). Compared with 10 mg of atorvastatin, 80 mg of atorvastatin reduced the relative risk of major cardiovascular events by 35% in patients with diabetes and CKD (20.9% vs 13.9%) and by 10% in patients with diabetes and normal eGFR (14.1% vs 12.8%). The absolute risk reduction in patients with diabetes and CKD was substantial, yielding a number needed to treat of 14 to prevent 1 major cardiovascular event over 4.8 years. Both treatments were well tolerated.

A significant difference in dose with a moderate risk reduction. However the risk of harm was not established.

The researchers concluded: "Patients with diabetes, stable coronary artery disease, and mild to moderate CKD experience marked reduction in cardiovascular events with intensive lipid lowering, in contrast to previous observations in patients with diabetes and end-stage renal disease."

Mayo Clin Proc August 2008;83:870-879:Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
Intensive Lipid Lowering With Atorvastatin in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease, Diabetes, and Chronic Kidney Disease. James Shepherd, MD; John J. P. Kastelein, MD, PHD; Vera A. Bittner, MD; et al.

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