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Rheumatology

Efficacy, Safety of Low-dose Rosuvastatin/Ezetimibe for LDL-C Reduction Similar Between RA and OA 

Jul 22, 2025

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AT A GLANCE

A new study published in Medicine (Baltimore) confirmed similar efficacy and safety profiles of low-dose rosuvastatin/ezetimibe in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA).1

“Dyslipidemia is an important condition in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study compared the effectiveness and safety of a low-dose rosuvastatin/ezetimibe formulation for dyslipidemia in RA and OA,” explain study authors Bak et al.

As part of a multicenter, open-label clinical trial, the authors enrolled patients with RA (n = 143) and/or hand/knee OA (n = 119) who met the prescribing indications for rosuvastatin/ezetimibe with primary hypercholesterolemia or mixed dyslipidemia. All patients received rosuvastatin 5 mg/ezetimibe 10 mg daily. The primary study endpoint of interest was a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction of ≥50% from baseline at 12 weeks.

Overall, 143 RA and 107 OA patients completed the follow-up and were included in the final analysis. Notably, the primary endpoint of an LDL-C reduction of ≥50% from baseline was achieved in 79.7% of the RA group and 70.1% of the OA group, while no significant differences were found in the safety endpoints.

The authors also found that baseline LDL-C levels were associated with the absolute LDL-C reduction in both the univariate and multivariate analyses; conversely, the Disease Activity Score-28 for RA with erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein level, age, body mass index, current smoking, hypertension, diabetes, and daily glucocorticoid dose were not significantly associated.

“The efficacy and safety of low-dose rosuvastatin/ezetimibe in reducing LDL-C levels were similar between the RA and OA groups. Baseline LDL-C level was the sole independent factor associated with LDL-C reduction, irrespective of inflammatory status,” conclude the authors.

Reference

1.     Bak S-H, Lee K-A, Kim SS, Kim S-H, Hong S-J, Kim H-S. Efficacy and safety of low-dose rosuvastatin/ezetimibe for dyslipidemia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. Medicine (Baltimore). 2025;104(27):e43133.