The difference between Asian and Western in the effect of LDL-C lowering therapy on coronary atherosclerotic plaque: a meta-analysis report

BACKGROUND The different effects of LDL-C levels and statins therapy on coronary atherosclerotic plaque between Western and Asian remain to be settled. METHODS PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched from Jan. 2000 to Sep. 2014 for randomized controlled or blinded end-points trials assessing the effects of LDL-C lowering therapy on regression of coronary atherosclerotic plaque (CAP) in patients with coronary heart disease by intravascular ultrasound. The significance of plaques regression was assessed by computing standardized mean difference (SMD) of the volume of CAP between the baseline and follow-up. RESULTS Twenty trials (ten in the West and ten in Asia) were identified. For Westerns, Mean lowering LDL-C by 49.4% and/or to level 61.9 mg/dL in the group of patients with baseline mean LDL-C 123.2 mg/dL could significantly reduce the volume of CAP at follow up (SMD -0.156 mm(3), 95% CI -0.248 ~ -0.064, p = 0.001). LDL-C lowering by rosuvastatin (mean 40 mg daily) could significantly decrease the volumes of CAP at follow up. For Asians, Mean lowering LDL-C by 36.1% and/or to level 84.0 mg/dL with baseline mean LDL-C 134.2 mg/dL could significantly reduce the volume of CAP at follow up (SMD -0.211 mm(3), 95% CI -0.331 ~ -0.092, p = 0.001). LDL-C lowering by rosuvastatin (mean 14.1 mg daily) and atorvastatin (mean 18.9 mg daily) could significantly decrease the volumes of CAP at follow up. CONCLUSIONS There was a different effect of LDL-C lowering on CAP between Westerns and Asians. For regressing CAP, Asians need lower dosage of statins or lower intensity LDL-C lowering therapy than Westerns.