A pravastatin dose-escalation study in systemic lupus erythematosus

Rheumatol Int. 2007 Sep;27(11):1071-7. doi: 10.1007/s00296-007-0341-6. Epub 2007 Apr 3.

Abstract

Statin medications have been suggested for widespread use in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We studied the dose effectiveness and tolerability of pravastatin in SLE. We compared 41 SLE subjects in a two-month open-label dose-titration study of pravastatin to 22 SLE controls. Lipids, ALT, CPK, CRP, adverse effects were assessed. Linear mixed models assessed changes in lipids and CRP, comparing pravastatin subjects to controls. After 1 month of pravastatin 10 mg a day, total cholesterol decreased by 16% (+/-12.1%) and LDL by 24% (+/-17%), compared with 1.8% (+/-7.5%) and 2.6% (+/-8.6%) decreases in controls (P < 0.001). CRP did not decline. Glucocorticoids appeared to decrease pravastatin effectiveness. Serum CPK increased in one subject. Pravastatin reduced LDL and total cholesterol levels approximately the same degree observed in normal individuals, but the effect appeared blunted in those on modest doses of glucocorticoids and those with higher BMI.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Body Mass Index
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood
  • Cholesterol, LDL / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Synergism
  • Female
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / administration & dosage*
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Hypercholesterolemia / complications*
  • Hypercholesterolemia / drug therapy*
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / complications*
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / drug therapy
  • Middle Aged
  • Pravastatin / administration & dosage*
  • Pravastatin / adverse effects

Substances

  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Pravastatin