Real World Study Shows Initiation With Pitavastatin, Not Rosuvastatin, Has Beneficial Effects on Hyperlipidemic Patients

A retrospective, short-term, real-world study found favorable effects of pitavastatin on glucose metabolism and biochemical liver markers among hyperlipidemic patients both with and without diabetes, according to a poster presented at the American Diabetes Association’s 81st Scientific Sessions.

Treatment with statins is a key part of cardiovascular prevention and new research has shown potential diabetogenic action in a mostly dose-dependent mode, according to the poster. However, some studies have suggested that pitavastatin may be effective in non-dose-dependent modes.

To investigate this, researchers conducted a retrospective study emphasizing the metabolic effects of initiating pitavastatin compared to rosuvastatin therapy in both diabetic and nondiabetic patients who have not previously received statins. In total, 74 patients with hyperlipidemia and diabetes were included, 23 of whom were on pitavastatin and 18 on rosuvastatin. In addition, 33 non-diabetic patients with hyperlipidemia were included, 15 of whom received pitavastatin and 18 of whom received rosuvastatin.

Researchers used medical records of the participants to identify biochemical data and found that patients with diabetes who received pitavastatin showed statistically significant differences in increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and decreasing total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides, and serum gamma glutamyl transferase (yGT). Patients on rosuvastatin showed a decrease in total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides without HDL increases.

For the group of patients without diabetes, researchers found that mean fasting blood glucose was 97.2 mg/dl before initiating rosuvastatin and was 104.1 mg/dL after 1 year. They recorded a statistically significant difference in reducing total cholesterol and LDL, as well as increasing yGT.

Patients who initiated pitavastatin had a blood glucose of 102 before initiation and 95.6 mg/dL after 1 year, according to the poster. Investigators noted a statistically significant difference in HDL increase and total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, yGT, and alanine aminotransferase.

The researchers said their findings highlight the potential for risovustatin-induced carbohydrate metabolism disorder and added that pitavastatin can have encouraging effects in glucose metabolism and biochemical liver markers. It can also improve patients’ lipid profile, regardless of whether they have been diagnosed with diabetes.

REFERENCE

Lygnos D, Papazafiropoulou A, Soteriades S, Loxas N, et al. The Metabolic Effects of Initiation Pitavastatin vs. Rosuvastatin: Twelve Months Real-World Data on Hyperlipidemic Patients with and without Diabetes (DM). Poster; American Diabetes Association 81st Scientific Sessions. June 25, 2021. Accessed June 25, 2021. https://ada.apprisor.org/epsAbstractADA.cfm?id=1