Loading...
The role of statin therapy in primary prevention is uncertain for patients whose cholesterol levels are not markedly elevated. Among such patients, elevated levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) are associated with excess cardiovascular risk. In this international industry-sponsored study, 17,802 people (men’s age, ≥50; women’s age, ≥60) without known cardiovascular disease and with LDL cholesterol levels <130 mg/dL and hsCRP levels ≥2 mg/L were randomized to receive daily rosuvastatin (Crestor; 20 mg) or placebo. Exclusion criteria were numerous and included diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, and various other chronic diseases.
The trial was stopped early, after a median follow-up of 1.9 years. Rosuvastatin lowered mean LD…