Treatment of high-risk older persons with lipid-lowering drug therapy

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#aged #aged-80-and-over #anticholesteremic-agents #cardiovascular-diseases #cholesterol-hdl

Treatment of high-risk older persons with lipid-lowering drug therapy

Aronow et al., 2008 | Am J Ther | Meta Analysis

Citation

Aronow Wilbert S. Treatment of high-risk older persons with lipid-lowering drug therapy. Am J Ther. 2008;15(2):102-7. doi:10.1097/MJT.0b013e31802b5aa4

Abstract

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies and observational studies have demonstrated that statins reduce mortality and major cardiovascular events in high-risk persons with hypercholesterolemia. The aim of this study was to review the evidence for treating high-risk older persons with lipid-lowering drugs. A MEDLINE search of the English-language literature published from January 1, 1989, to June 2006 was conducted to review all studies in which lipid-lowering drug therapy was administered to high-risk older persons. The Heart Protection Study showed that statins reduced mortality and major cardiovascular events in high-risk persons, regardless of the initial level of serum lipids, age, or gender. The updated National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) III guidelines state that in very-high-risk patients, a serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level of <70 mg/dL is a reasonable clinical strategy, regardless of age. When a high-risk person has hypertriglyceridemia or low serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, consideration can be given to combining a fibrate or nicotinic acid with an LDL cholesterol-lowering drug. For moderately-high-risk persons, the serum LDL cholesterol should be reduced to <100 mg/dL. When LDL cholesterol-lowering drug therapy is used for high-risk persons or moderately-high-risk persons, the serum LDL cholesterol should be reduced at least 30% to 40%. High-risk older persons should be treated with lipid-lowering drugs according to the NCEP III updated guidelines to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Key Findings

High-risk older persons should be treated with lipid-lowering drugs according to the NCEP III updated guidelines to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Anticholesteremic Agents
  • Cardiovascular Diseases
  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Clofibric Acid
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Humans
  • Hypertriglyceridemia
  • Hypolipidemic Agents
  • Niacin
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic
  • Risk Factors

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Review
  • Vertical: niacin

Provenance

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