The DISCOVERY PENTA study: a DIrect Statin COmparison of LDL‐C Value – an Evaluation of Rosuvastatin therapY compared with atorvastatin

Abstract

Background: International guidelines emphasize the need to achieve recommended low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) levels in order to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with coronary heart disease (CHD). However, many patients with hypercholesterolemia fail to achieve LDL‐C goals on treatment. Objective: The primary objective was to compare the efficacy of rosuvastatin and atorvastatin for enabling patients to achieve National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) LDL‐C goals. Secondary objectives were European LDL‐C goal achievement, changes in the lipid profile, and safety. Research design and methods: This 12‐week, multicenter, multinational, randomized, open-label trial compared the efficacy and safety of rosuvastatin 10 mg with atorvastatin 10 mg in statin-naïve and switched patients with primary hypercholesterolemia from Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Portugal, and Venezuela. Results: A total of 1124 patients with similar baseline characteristics were randomized to the two treatment groups. After 12 weeks of treatment, a significantly greater percentage of patients receiving rosuvastatin 10 mg compared with atorvastatin 10 mg achieved NCEP ATP III LDL‐C goals (71.2% vs 61.4%, p < 0.001), 1998 European LDL‐C goals (73.5% vs 59.2%, p < 0.001) and 2003 European LDL‐C goals (58.9% vs 44.6%, p < 0.001). Rosuvastatin treatment was associated with significant reductions in LDL‐C and total cholesterol (TC) and, in statin-naïve patients, a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) compared with atorvastatin treatment. Both treatments were well tolerated with a similar incidence of adverse events. Clinically significant elevations in creatinine, creatine kinase or hepatic transaminases were low and similar between treatment groups. Conclusions: Rosuvastatin 10 mg is significantly more effective at achieving NCEP ATP III and European LDL‐C goals, lowering LDL‐C and TC in both naïve and switched patients and increasing HDL‐C in naïve patients than atorvastatin 10 mg, with a similar safety and tolerability profile. This study also provides evidence regarding the comparative effects of rosuvastatin versus atorvastatin in Latin American and Portuguese populations.