Meta-analysis of the relationship between non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduction and coronary heart disease risk
Meta-analysis of the relationship between non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduction and coronary heart disease risk
Robinson et al., 2009 | J Am Coll Cardiol | Meta Analysis
Citation
Robinson Jennifer G, Wang Songfeng, ... Jacobson Terry A. Meta-analysis of the relationship between non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduction and coronary heart disease risk. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2009-Jan-27;53(4):316-22. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2008.10.024
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationship between non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) lowering and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk reduction for various lipid-modifying therapies. BACKGROUND: Non-HDL-C is the second lipid target of therapy after low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). METHODS: Randomized placebo or active-controlled trials were evaluated. The effect of mean non-HDL-C reduction on the relative risk of nonfatal myocardial infarction and CHD death was estimated using Bayesian random-effects meta-analysis models adjusted for study duration. Cochrane's Q was used to test for heterogeneity. RESULTS: Inclusion criteria were met by 14 statin (n = 100,827), 7 fibrate (n = 21,647), and 6 niacin (n = 4,445) trials, and 1 trial each of a bile acid sequestrant (n = 3,806), diet (n = 458), and ileal bypass surgery (n = 838). For statins, each 1% decrease in non-HDL-C resulted in an estimated 4.5-year CHD relative risk of 0.99 (95% Bayesian confidence interval: 0.98 to 1.00). The fibrate model did not differ from the statin model (Bayes factor K = 0.49) with no evidence of heterogeneity. The niacin model was moderately different from the statin model (K = 7.43), with heterogeneity among the trials (Q = 11.8, 5 df; p = 0.038). The only niacin monotherapy trial (n = 3,908) had a 1:1 relationship between non-HDL-C and risk reduction. No consistent relationships were apparent for the 5 small trials of niacin in combination. The 95% confidence intervals for the single trials of diet, bile acid sequestrants, and surgery also included the 1:1 relationship. CONCLUSIONS: Non-HDL-C is an important target of therapy for CHD prevention. Most lipid-modifying drugs used as monotherapy have an approximately 1:1 relationship between percent non-HDL-C lowering and CHD reduction.
Key Findings
Inclusion criteria were met by 14 statin (n = 100,827), 7 fibrate (n = 21,647), and 6 niacin (n = 4,445) trials, and 1 trial each of a bile acid sequestrant (n = 3,806), diet (n = 458), and ileal bypass surgery (n = 838). For statins, each 1% decrease in non-HDL-C resulted in an estimated 4.5-year CHD relative risk of 0.99 (95% Bayesian confidence interval: 0.98 to 1.00). The fibrate model did not differ from the statin model (Bayes factor K = 0.49) with no evidence of heterogeneity. The niacin
Outcomes Measured
- Requires manual extraction
Population
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Population | See abstract |
| Sample Size | 100827 |
| Age Range | See abstract |
| Condition | See abstract |
MeSH Terms
- Cholesterol, HDL
- Cholesterol, LDL
- Clofibric Acid
- Coronary Disease
- Female
- Humans
- Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
- Male
- Niacin
- Risk Factors
Evidence Classification
- Level: Meta Analysis
- Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis
- Vertical: niacin
Provenance
- PMID: 19161879
- DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2008.10.024
- PMCID: Not in PMC
- Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API
Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09