A 45-year-old male with type II diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia presents to your clinic as a new patient. He has been out of his cholesterol medications and came to your office requesting a refill. The patient brought his most recent lipid profile (done after he was off his cholesterol medication for 3 months) which revealed:
Cholesterol (total): 242 mg/dL
HDL cholesterol: 38 mg/dL
Triglycerides (TGs): 660 mg/dL
LDL cholesterol = unable to calculate due to high TGs
He also had recent liver function tests that were normal. Based on Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III guidelines, which of the following medications should be the initial pharmacologic treatment for this patient?
- atorvostatin
- gemfibrozil
- cholestyramine
- omega-3 fatty acids
- nicotinic acid
Answer(s): B
Explanation:
According to the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) on the ATP III once the TG levels are in very high range (>500 mg/dL) the focus changes from LDL to reducing TGs, as such high levels can trigger acute pancreatitis. Once the LDL is lower than 500 mg/dL, the attention can be turned toward lowering LDL for CHD reduction. The results of various recent meta-analyses revealed that elevated TGs are also an independent risk factor for CHD. Some factors that may lead to elevated TG include obesity, physical inactivity, tobacco use, alcohol use, high carbohydrate diets, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, familial disorders, and certain drugs. ATP III adopts the following classification for serum TGs:
· Normal TGs: <150 mg/dL
· Borderline-high TGs: 150199 mg/dL
· High TGs: 200499 mg/dL
· Very high TGs: 500 mg/dL
Nicotinic acid and fibrates have the largest reduction in TG (2530% and 3550%, respectively) and are thus the first-line recommendations in addition to diet modification and exercise in cases of very high TG. Statins reduce TG by roughly 1033%, while bile acid sequestrant can have no effect or even increase TG levels. Fish oils in high doses can be used in recalcitrant cases as they may reduce TG by up to 50%; however GI side effects are common. It is also important to note that active omega-3 fatty acids make up only 3050% of many fish oil supplements, whereas Omacor has 90% omega-3 fatty acids. Although this class of agents can reduce TG effectively, they have the unwanted effect of elevating LDL-C levels.
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