Dyslipidemia in chronic kidney disease: randomized controlled trial of colestilan versus simvastatin in dialysis patients.

AIM

We evaluated the effects of colestilan, a non-absorbed anion-exchange resin, on lipids and lipoproteins in dialysis patients.

METHODS

This randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, flexible-dose study incorporating a placebo-controlled withdrawal period tested for superiority vs. placebo and non-inferiority vs. simvastatin. Dialysis patients with serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) ≥ 100 mg/dL received colestilan 3 - 12 g/day or simvastatin 10 - 40 mg/day for 16 weeks, and were then re-randomized to continue active medication or receive placebo for 4 weeks. Co-primary endpoints were the percent change in serum LDL-C level during the active and placebo comparison phases.

RESULTS

Colestilan was non-inferior to simvastatin for lowering serum LDL-C (mean changes -29.5% vs. -28.9%; difference 0.6%, 95% CI -5.7, 4.5). Colestilan was more effective than placebo at maintaining control of serum LDL-C levels during the withdrawal phase (mean change +4.4% vs. +41.7%; difference -37.4%; p < 0.001). Reductions in total cholesterol were similar with both drugs, but simvastatin was more effective at controlling triglyceride levels. Adverse events most commonly affected the gastrointestinal system.

CONCLUSIONS

In dialysis patients, colestilan was more effective than placebo at maintaining control of serum LDL-C levels, was noninferior to simvastatin in terms of the reduction in LDL-C achieved, and was generally well tolerated.