Lipid-lowering for lower limb atherosclerosis
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Published on: November 10, 2017
G C Leng1, J F Price, R G Jepson
1Primary Care and Population Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, Royal Free Campus, Rowland Hill Street, London, UK, NW3 2PF. rfpc0015@rfhsm.ac.uk
Insights
Lipid-lowering therapy may help prevent lower limb atherosclerosis progression and ease symptoms. However, this review could not determine the superiority of any specific lipid-lowering regimen.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Medical Research Methodology
Background:
- Elevated lipid levels, including cholesterol, are significant risk factors for lower limb arterial disease (atherosclerosis).
- Understanding the impact of lipid-lowering therapies is crucial for managing this condition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the effects of lipid-lowering therapy in patients diagnosed with lower limb atherosclerosis.
- To evaluate the impact on mortality, disease progression, and patient-reported outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive search of multiple databases (Cochrane, Embase) and contact with investigators and pharmaceutical companies.
- Inclusion of randomized controlled trials assessing lipid-lowering therapy in lower limb atherosclerosis patients.
- Independent data extraction and quality assessment by two reviewers, with follow-up for missing information.
Main Results:
- Seven high-quality trials involving 698 participants were analyzed.
- Lipid-lowering therapy showed a non-significant reduction in mortality and little change in non-fatal events.
- A significant reduction in disease progression was observed in two trials (angiogram results).
- Improvements in symptoms were noted but could not be meta-analyzed; ankle-brachial pressure index and walking distance changes were inconsistent.
Conclusions:
- Lipid-lowering therapy demonstrates potential benefits in halting the progression of lower limb atherosclerosis and alleviating associated symptoms.
- Further research is needed to establish the comparative efficacy of different lipid-lowering regimens.
Background:
Raised lipid levels, including cholesterol, are important risk factors in the development of lower limb arterial disease (atherosclerosis).
Objectives:
The objective of this review was to assess the effects of lipid lowering therapy in patients with lower limb atherosclerosis.
Search Strategy:
The reviewers searched the Cochrane Peripheral Vascular Diseases Group trials register, Embase, reference lists of relevant articles, and contacted trial investigators in Europe and pharmaceutical companies.
Selection Criteria:
Randomised trials of lipid-lowering therapy in patients with lower limb atherosclerosis. The main outcomes were mortality, non-fatal events, direct tests of disease progression, indirect measurements of disease, and subjective measures.
Data Collection And Analysis:
Two reviewers extracted data and assessed trial quality independently. The reviewers contacted investigators to obtain information needed for the review that could not be found in published reports.
Main Results:
There were nine eligible trials, but two were excluded because of poor methodology. The seven remaining trials involved a total of 698 participants from seven different countries. Men and women participated in all but one trial and were generally middle aged to elderly. The follow-up period varied from four months to three years. The overall quality of the included trials was high. The trials were heterogeneous in terms of inclusion criteria, type of drugs used and outcomes measured. Lipid-lowering therapy produced a marked but non-significant reduction in mortality (odds ratio 0.21, 95% confidence interval 0. 03 to 1.17), but little change in non-fatal events (odds ratio 1.21, 95% confidence interval 0.80 to 1.83). In two trials there was a significant overall reduction in disease progression on angiogram (odds ratio 0.47, 95% confidence interval 0.29 to 0.77). The changes in ankle brachial pressure index and walking distance were inconsistent, although trials showed a general improvement in symptoms that could not be combined in a meta-analysis. Side effects were generally mild, with the exceptions of liver toxicity produced by betapyridil and the adverse effect of probucol on lipoprotein profile.
Reviewer'S Conclusions:
Lipid-lowering therapy may be useful in preventing deterioration of underlying disease and alleviating symptoms. These results cannot determine whether one lipid-lowering regimen is better than another.
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