double-blind, placebo-controlled trial - included 4,081 men aged 40-55 years who were free of CHD at the start of the study
active treatment - gemfibrozil 1,200 mg per day - 2051 randomised to receive gemfibrozil, 2030 randomised to receive placebo
follow-up period - 5 years
mean baseline lipid levels at the start of the study - total cholesterol 7.0 mmol/L, LDL-c 4.9 mmol/L, HDL-c 1.22 mmol/L, triglyceride 2.0 mmol/L
over the 5 year period of the study
gemfibrozil led to a mean increase in HDL-c of 11% and reduction in total cholesterol, LDL-C and serum triglyceride by 10%
cumulative rate of total cardiac end points was 27.3 per 1000 in the gemfibrozil group and 41.4 per 1000 in the placebo group (relative reduction of 34% (p<0.2))
no significant difference between groups in total death rate
the main benefit of the gemfibrozil treatment group was seen in patients who had one or more features of metabolic syndrome e.g. plasma triglyceride > 2.3 mmol/L, HDL-c<1.0mmol/L or body mass index > 26 (2)
Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.