This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Services Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire PubMed PubMed Citation

Reduction of New Coronary Events and New Atherothrombotic Brain Infarction in Older Persons With Diabetes Mellitus, Prior Myocardial Infarction, and Serum Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol 125 mg/dl Treated With Statins

^a Cardiology Division, Department of Medicine,Westchester Medical Center/New York Medical College, Valhalla
^b Department of Medicine, University of Texas Medical School at Houston
^c Neurocare Associates, Bronx, New York

Wilbert S. Aronow, Cardiology Division, New York Medical College, 23 Pebble Way, New Rochelle, NY 10804 E-mail: WSAronow{at}aol.com.

Background. We report the incidence of new coronary events and new atherothrombotic brain infarction (ABI) in older men and women with diabetes mellitus, prior myocardial infarction, and a serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol of 125 mg/dl treated with statins and with no lipid-lowering drug.

Methods. The incidence of new coronary events and of new ABI was investigated in an observational prospective study of 529 diabetics, mean age 79 ± 9 years, with prior myocardial infarction and a serum LDL cholesterol of 125 mg/dl treated with statins (279 persons or 53%) and no lipid-lowering drug (250 persons or 47%). Follow-up was 29 ± 18 months.

Results. At follow-up, the stepwise Cox regression model showed that after controlling for other risk factors, the use of statins was associated with a 37% significant independent reduction in the incidence of new coronary events and with a 47% significant independent reduction in the incidence of new ABI.

Conclusions. Use of statins was associated with a 37% significant, independent reduction in new coronary events and a 47% significant, independent reduction in new ABI in older men and women with diabetes mellitus, prior myocardial infarction, and a serum LDL cholesterol of 125 mg/dl. Elderly diabetics with prior myocardial infarction and increased serum LDL cholesterol should especially be treated with statins.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				W. S. Aronow Drug Treatment of Systolic and of Diastolic Heart Failure in Elderly Persons J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., December 1, 2005; 60(12): 1597 - 1605. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Sanal and W. S. Aronow Effect of an Educational Program on the Prevalence of Use of Antiplatelet Drugs, Beta Blockers, Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors, Lipid-Lowering Drugs, and Calcium Channel Blockers Prescribed During Hospitalization and at Hospital Discharge in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., November 1, 2003; 58(11): M1046 - 1048. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				V. Suryadevara, S. G. Storey, W. S. Aronow, and C. Ahn Association of Abnormal Serum Lipids in Elderly Persons With Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease and Dementia, Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease Without Dementia, Dementia Without Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease, and No Dementia or Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., September 1, 2003; 58(9): M859 - 861. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Ghosh and W. S. Aronow Utilization of Lipid-Lowering Drugs in Elderly Persons With Increased Serum Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Associated With Coronary Artery Disease, Symptomatic Peripheral Arterial Disease, Prior Stroke, or Diabetes Mellitus Before and After an Educational Program on Dyslipidemia Treatment J. Gerontol. A Biol. Sci. Med. Sci., May 1, 2003; 58(5): M432 - 435. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]