Table 4

Effect of major trials on reductions in total cholesterol concentration

Number of patients
Weighted mean


Statin and dose (mg)
 Randomised
 Analysed
 Initial [TC]
 Absolute change
 Percent change
Lovastatin




20 mg all studies
 1967
 1967
 6.7
 -1.2
 -17
20 mg minus EXCEL
 325
 325
 7.0
 -1.2
 -18
20 mg EXCEL
 1642
 1642
 6.7
 -1.1
 -17
40 mg all studies
 3743
 3743
 6.8
 -1.5
 -23
40 mg minus EXCEL
 452
 452
 7.5
 -1.5
 -20
40 mg EXCEL
 3291
 3291
 6.7
 -1.5
 -23
Pravastatin




40 mg all studies
 8761
 6635
 6.5
 -1.3
 -21
40 mg minus WOSCOPS
 5414
 3333
 6.1
 -1.3
 -21
40 mg WOSCOPS
 3302
 3302
 7.0
 -1.4
 -20
Simvastatin




20–40 mg all studies
 2406
 2406
 6.5
 -1.6
 -25
20–40 mg minus 4S study
 185
 185
 6.4
 -1.2
 -19
20–40 mg 4S study
 2221
 2221
 6.5
 -1.6
 -25
40 mg all studies
 10952
 10952
 5.7
 -1.5
 -26
40 mg minus MRC/BHF
 683
 683
 7.7
 -2.3
 -30
40 mg MRC/BHF
 10269
 10269
 5.6
 -1.5
 -26

* Initial [TC]: mean concentration of total cholesterol, in mmol/L, at baseline

Edwards and Moore BMC Family Practice 2003 4:18   doi:10.1186/1471-2296-4-18