Conclusions

This study showed that the risk of major vascular outcomes in diabetics is reduced by about a quarter even in the absence of raised cholesterol or overt vascular disease. The increased risk of macrovascular events in diabetics meant that, in the absence of overt vascular disease, 1000 patients would need to be treated for 5 years to save 45 people from 70 major vascular events.

• Benefit in Diabetes: People with diabetes experienced a roughly 25% to 33% reduction in major vascular events, even if they had normal cholesterol levels or no prior history of coronary disease.
• Broad Efficacy: Benefits extended to elderly patients (over 70) and those with low baseline LDL levels.
• Safety: Simvastatin 40 mg daily was well-tolerated with no significant increase in non-vascular illnesses or cancer

Reference

1. Heart Protection Study Collaborative Group. MRC/BHF Heart Protection Study of cholesterol lowering with simvastatin in 20,536 high-risk individuals: a randomised placebo-controlled trial. Lancet 2002 July 6;360(9326):7-22.