Table 1 Comparison of recent clinical end-point trials that employed a fibrate (VA-HIT, BIP) or a statin (AFCAPS/TexCAPS) in patients with low plasma HDL-cholesterol
From: Treating patients with low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol: choices, issues and opportunities
| Â | Trial | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Â | VA-HIT | BIP | AFCAPS/TexCAPS |
Drug | Gemfibrozil | Bezafibrate | Lovastatin |
Indication | Secondary prevention | Secondary prevention | Primary prevention |
Duration (years) | 5.2 | 6.2 | 5.2 |
Primary end-point | Nonfatal myocardial infarction/ | Myocardial infarction/ | Acute major coronary event |
| Â | CAD mortality | sudden death | Â |
Patient characteristics | Â | Â | Â |
   Age (years) | 64 | 60 | 58 |
   n (male/female) | 2531/0 | 2825/265 | 5608/997 |
   Diabetes (%) | 25 | 10 | 3 |
   Hypertension (%) | 57 | 32 | 22 |
   Current smokers (%) | 20 | 12 | 12 |
   Total cholesterol (mmol/l) | 4.5 | 5.6 | 5.7 |
   Triglycerides (mmol/l) | 1.8 | 1.6 | 1.8 |
   LDL-cholesterol (mmol/l) | 2.9 | 3.9 | 3.9 |
   HDL-cholesterol (mmol/l) | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.9 |
Outcome variables | Â | Â | Â |
   Total cholesterol (%) | -6 | -4 | -18 |
   Triglycerides (%) | -31 | -21 | -15 |
   LDL-cholesterol (%) | -4 | -6 | -25 |
   HDL-cholesterol (%) | +6 | +18 | +6 |
Effect of treatment on primary end-point | Â | Â | Â |
   Relative risk reduction (%) | -22 | -9 | -37 |
   Absolute risk reduction (%) | -4.4 | -1.4 | -2.0 |
   NNT to prevent an event | 23 | 71* | 50†|