Rosuvastatin and ciprofibrate in the treatment of dyslipidemia in patients with HIV

Abstract

Background: Dyslipidemia secondary to highly active antiretroviral therapy in patients with HIV is associated with a significant increase in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality due to atherosclerotic disease, requiring, thus, immediate and effective treatment. Objective: To demonstrate the effectiveness and safety of rosuvastatin and ciprofibrate in the treatment of dyslipidemia associated with highly active antiretroviral therapy in patients with HIV. Methods: Three hundred and forty-six patients with dyslipidemia underwent pharmacological treatment as follows: 200 patients with hypertriglyceridemia received ciprofibrate (Group I); 79 patients with hypercholesterolemia received rosuvastatin (Group II); and 67 patients with mixed dyslipidemia received ciprofibrate associated with rosuvastatin (Group III). The lipid profile was assessed before and after the lipid-lowering treatment, and the Wilcoxon test was used for statistical comparison. Liver transaminases and creatine phosphokinase were measured to assess liver and muscle toxicity. Results: The serum concentrations of triglycerides and total cholesterol were significantly lower than those obtained before the lipid-lowering treatment in the three experimental groups (p < 0.002). A significant increase in HDL-cholesterol was observed in Groups I and III (p < 0.002). In Groups I and II, LDL-cholesterol was significantly lower (p < 0.001). None of the patients experienced elevations in transaminases or creatine phosphokinase to significantly toxic levels. Conclusion: The results of this study show that ciprofibrate and rosuvastatin or a combination of both can be considered an effective, safe and well-tolerated lipid-lowering treatment for patients with AIDS on highly active antiretroviral therapy.