Cholesterol reduction yields clinical benefits: meta-analysis including recent trials

Gould et al., 2007 | Clin Ther | Meta Analysis

Citation

Gould A Lawrence, Davies Glenn M, ... Cook John R. Cholesterol reduction yields clinical benefits: meta-analysis including recent trials. Clin Ther. 2007-May;29(5):778-794. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2007.05.012

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Previous meta-analyses reported by Gould et al found significant decreases of 15% in the risk for coronary heart disease (CHD)-related mortality and 11 % in risk for all-cause mortality per decrease of 10% in total cholesterol (TC) level. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of reducing cholesterol on clinical events after including data from recent clinical trials. METHODS: Using a literature search (MeSH key terms, including: bezafibrate, coronary disease, efficacy, gemfibrozil, hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors, hypercholesterolemia, niacin [nicotinic acids], randomized controlled trials, and treatment outcome; years: 1999-2005), we identified trials published in English that assessed the effects of lipid-modifying therapies on CHD end points, including CHD-related death, myocardial infarction, and angina pectoris. We also included all studies from the previously published meta-analysis. Using the same analytic approach as previously, we determined the effects of net absolute reductions (1 mmol/L [38.7 mg/dL]) in TC and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) on the relative risks (RRs) for all-cause mortality, CHD-related mortality, any CHD event (mortality or nonfatal myocardial infarction), and non-CHD-related mortality. RESULTS: We included 62 studies involving 216,616 patients, including 126,474 from 24 randomized controlled trials the findings of which were published since the previous meta-analysis (1998). Among all patients, for every 1-mmol/L decrease in TC, there was a 17.5 reduction in RR for all-cause mortality; 24.5 %, for CHD-related mortality; and 29.5% for any CHD event. Corresponding reductions for every 1-mmol/L decrease in LDL-C were 15.6%, 28.0%, and 26.6%, respectively. Similar relationships were observed in patients without CHD. No significant relationship was found between lipid reduction and non-CHD-related mortality risk. CONCLUSIONS: The results from the present analysis support conclusions from previous meta-analyses that cholesterol lowering is clinically beneficial in patients with CHD or at elevated CHD risk. These results also support the previous finding that non-CHD-related mortality is unrelated to lipid reductions.

Key Findings

We included 62 studies involving 216,616 patients, including 126,474 from 24 randomized controlled trials the findings of which were published since the previous meta-analysis (1998). Among all patients, for every 1-mmol/L decrease in TC, there was a 17.5 reduction in RR for all-cause mortality; 24.5 %, for CHD-related mortality; and 29.5% for any CHD event. Corresponding reductions for every 1-mmol/L decrease in LDL-C were 15.6%, 28.0%, and 26.6%, respectively. Similar relationships were observ

Outcomes Measured

• Requires manual extraction

Population

MeSH Terms

• Anticholesteremic Agents
• Cholesterol
• Cholesterol, LDL
• Coronary Disease
• Humans
• Myocardial Infarction
• Treatment Outcome

Evidence Classification

• Level: Meta Analysis
• Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review
• Vertical: niacin

Provenance

• PMID: 17697899
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2007.05.012
• PMCID: Not in PMC
• Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09