Efficacy of ezetimibe for reducing serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels resistant to lifestyle intervention in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the efficacy of ezetimibe and lifestyle intervention for treating patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and residual dyslipidemia via a combination of ezetimibe and lifestyle intervention. Methods: Patients with NAFLD with residual dyslipidemia after a 6-month lifestyle intervention program were included. After completion of the 6-month program, the patients received p.o. administration of ezetimibe at 10mg/day, in addition to lifestyle intervention, for 6months. Results: Of the 59 patients with NAFLD who had participated in the 6-month lifestyle intervention program between 2007 and 2012, 21 with residual dyslipidemia (10 males and 11 females) were enrolled. Median age was 58years (range, 27-75), median bodyweight was 63.0kg (range, 39.4-109.0), median body mass index was 25.4kg/m2 (range, 18.2-37.1), median alanine aminotransferase was 23IU/L (14-73), median high-density lipoprotein (HDL) was 58mg/dL (range, 37-93), median triglycerides (TG) was 105mg/dL (range, 42-216) and median low-density lipoprotein (LDL) was 153 (66-209) mg/dL. After 6months of treatment with ezetimibe, serum LDL levels were improved in 15 of 20 (75%) patients (P=0.0015), while no improvements were observed in the remaining five patient (25%). Ezetimibe was discontinued in one patient who developed skin rash. Conclusion: Ezetimibe is effective for treating residual dyslipidemia after lifestyle intervention in patients with NAFLD. © 2013 The Japan Society of Hepatology.