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Effects of Ezetimibe/Simvastatin 10/20 mg vs. Atorvastatin 20 mg on Apolipoprotein B/Apolipoprotein A1 in Korean Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial

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Abstract

Background

Although the efficacy of ezetimibe/simvastatin and atorvastatin on traditional lipid parameters has been studied extensively, the apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A1 (ApoB/ApoA1) ratio, which has a better predictive value for cardiovascular events, has not previously been used as a primary endpoint in these two treatment groups.

Objective

Our objective was to compare the efficacy and safety of ezetimibe/simvastatin 10/20 mg versus atorvastatin 20 mg once daily in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Study Design

This study was an open-label, randomized, controlled study. Type 2 diabetes patients with high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (>100 mg/dL) were randomized to receive ezetimibe/simvastatin or atorvastatin.

Main Outcome Measure

The primary endpoint was the difference in the percent change of ApoB/ApoA1 at 12 weeks, and secondary endpoints were changes in lipid profiles, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) index, and C-reactive protein.

Results

In total, 132 patients (66 for each group) were enrolled and randomized. After 12 weeks of treatment, the ApoB/ApoA1 ratio was significantly reduced in both groups; however, the difference of changes between the two groups was not statistically significant (ezetimibe/simvastatin −38.6 ± 18.0 % vs. atorvastatin −34.4 ± 15.5 %; p = 0.059). There were no significant differences in changes to total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, ApoB, and ApoB48 between the two groups. However, the increments of ApoA1 were significantly greater in the ezetimibe/simvastatin group than in the atorvastatin group (2.8 ± 10.0 vs. −1.8 ± 9.8 %; p = 0.002). In the per-protocol analysis, improvement in ApoB/ApoA1 was significantly greater in the ezetimibe/simvastatin group (−42.8 ± 11.8 vs. −36.7 ± 13.2 %; p = 0.019). The changes in HbA1c, HOMA index, and C-reactive protein were comparable between the two groups. The adverse reaction rate was similar between the two groups (24.2 vs. 34.9 %; p = 0.180).

Conclusion

Ezetimibe/simvastatin 10/20 mg is comparable to atorvastatin 20 mg for the management of dyslipidemia, and may have more favorable effects on apolipoprotein profiles than atorvastatin 20 mg in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

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Funding

This study was supported by a grant from MSD, Inc., South Korea. Funding had no influence on study design, collection, analysis and interpretation of data or writing and submission of manuscript.

Conflicts of interest

None of the authors have any potential conflicts of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, 101 Deahakro, Chongno-gu, Seoul, 110-744, South Korea

    Ju-Hee Lee, Hyun-Jae Kang, Hyo-Soo Kim, Dae-Won Sohn, Byung-Hee Oh & Young-Bae Park

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  1. Ju-Hee Lee
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  2. Hyun-Jae Kang
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hyun-Jae Kang.

Additional information

ClinicalTrials.Gov Registration Number: NCT01185236.

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Lee, JH., Kang, HJ., Kim, HS. et al. Effects of Ezetimibe/Simvastatin 10/20 mg vs. Atorvastatin 20 mg on Apolipoprotein B/Apolipoprotein A1 in Korean Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Am J Cardiovasc Drugs 13, 343–351 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40256-013-0031-6

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