Ezetimibe added to statin therapy (EASY study) - An evaluation by Australian general practitioners

BACKGROUND This study estimated changes in low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and proportion of patients attaining goal LDL-C <2.5 mmol/L when ezetimibe was added to existing statin monotherapy under Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) guidelines in a general practice setting. METHODS Target patients were those with coronary heart disease or diabetes mellitus eligible to receive ezetimibe under PBS guidelines. They were treated with ezetimibe 10 mg/day in addition to existing statin therapy for 6 weeks. RESULTS One hundred and thirty patients received treatment, but for effectiveness we derived a per protocol subpopulation of 95. Low density lipoprotein cholesterol was reduced by 29% (95% confidence limits, 25-34% reduction), and goal LDL-C <2.5 mmol/L was reached in 70% of patients (95% confidence limits, 59-79%). Six patients were withdrawn because of adverse events. DISCUSSION Changes in LDL-C and goal attainment in Australian general practice with the use of ezetimibe added to a statin were highly consistent with the findings from controlled clinical trials.