Study on the Efficacy and Safety of Policosanol in the Treatment of Senile and Elderly Patients with Hyperlipidemia

To investigate the efficacy, safety and tolerance of policosanol in the treatment of senile and elderly patients (≥75 y old) with hyperlipidemia is the main objective. 150 senile and elderly patients with hyperlipidemia from June 2011 to May 2013 were randomly divided into two groups (test group and control group) according to the order of admission. The test group was treated with policosanol 10 mg/d, while the control group was treated with atorvastatin 20 mg/d for 16 w. The changes and adverse reactions of total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, liver and kidney function, fasting blood glucose and creatine kinase were observed before and after treatment. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the indexes before treatment (p>0.05). After 16 w treatment, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol in the test group were 5.51±0.77, 1.79±0.88, 3.68±0.65 and 1.11±0.31 mmol/l before treatment and 4.90±1.03, 1.26±0.64, 3.21±0.92 and 1.31±0.30 mmol/l after treatment, respectively. The above indexes had statistical significance before and after treatment (p<0.01). Total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol in the control group were 5.59±1.10, 1.90±0.76, 3.68±1.00, 1.18±0.37 mmol/l before treatment and 4.50±1.06, 1.39±0.81, 2.69±0.89, 1.32±0.35 mmol/l after treatment, the above indexes were significantly different from those before treatment (p<0.01). In terms of the magnitude of lipid lowering, the policosanol group was weaker than the atorvastatin group, especially in lowering low density lipoprotein cholesterol (p<0.01). No significant adverse reactions were observed in either group. Policosanol can effectively lower the level of blood lipid in patients and it is safe and well tolerated for senile and elderly patients.