Long-term treatment of type III hyperlipoproteinemia with clofibrate

In this retrospective study we report the results of treatment with clofibrate during at least 7 years in 9 patients with severe type III hyperlipoproteinemia. Initial treatment consisted of a diet, restricted in fat and calories, because of insufficient response additional therapy with 2 g clofibrate daily was given. Serum cholesterol decreased significantly from 14.3 +/- 4.4 mmol/l (mean +/- SD), on diet therapy, to average annual values ranging from 9.0 +/- 4.9 to 7.9 +/- 2.0 and serum triglycerides decreased significantly from 5.6 +/- 1.9 to average annual values from 3.8 +/- 1.8 to 2.0 +/- 0.7, despite a slight gain in bodyweight. Serious side-effects did not occur. After several years of treatment with clofibrate the drug was withdrawn temporarily. Serum lipids increased significantly in all patients to a level, not different from that before the start of drug therapy. It is concluded that clofibrate is a strong hypolipidemic drug for the treatment of type III hyperlipoproteinemia, which does not lose efficacy even after 7 years of use.