Simvastatin in Familial Hypercholesterolemia

O. Al-Naffi, Karim

	Simvastatin in Familial Hypercholesterolemia
Kerbala Journal of Medicine
Article 1, Volume 7, Issue 1, 2014, Pages 1733-1743 PDF (0 K)
Author
Karim O. Al-Naffi
Abstract
background: Familial Hypercholesterolemia is hereditary disease which needs different type of treatment modalities, all are lifelong & some of it are either not promising or expensive. Aim: The aim of the study has three disciplines one is to assess the effect of simvastatin in lowering cholesterol level in patient with familial hypercholesterolemia, the second discipline is to study the use of the simvastatin in children starting from age of 4 years . The third is to monitor the expectable side effect if it happens. Patient and method: Eighteen persons of three families with consanguineous marriage, age 4 - 48 years with familial hypercholesterolemia was diagnosed in Karbala governorate at 2009 and started on dietary control & simvastatin in increasing dose up to the maximum allowed dose , they were followed between august 2009- January 2012 for clinical, biochemical response & any drug side effects. They are still under follow up. Results and Discussion: Simvastatin showed significant decrease in cholesterol level in the first six months with 20% reduction with a P value of 0.001, then the response decrease with rebound increment. There is no significant drug side effect reported neither in adults nor in the children. The result of the study is coinciding with similar studies regarding the limited effectiveness of statin in FH, also the safety of its usage in children Conclusion: Statin usage alone is not as effective as along run treatment for FH, other treatment modalities are required; although it is save with minimal side effect even in children
Keywords
Familial hypercholesterolemia; simvastatins; Children

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