Adding Fenofibrate to Statins for Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Randomized trials have shown that fenofibrate does not lower risk for adverse cardiovascular (CV) events in people with diabetes. However, evidence suggests that fenofibrate might lower CV risk in people with metabolic syndrome. In this manufacturer-funded observational study, researchers examined that question in Korean patients (age, ≥40) with metabolic syndrome (defined as ≥3 of the following: large waist circumference, elevated triglyceride level, low HDL cholesterol level, elevated fasting glucose or antidiabetes treatment, and elevated blood pressure or antihypertensive treatment).

The researchers identified 2200 patients who received combined statin and fenofibrate treatment and matched them with 8500 who received statins only. The pr…