There have been few clinical studies on 10 mg atorvastatin as a starting dosage for treatment of hypercholesterolemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. This retrospective study aims to evaluate the efficacy of 10 mg dosage of atorvastatin in clinical setting.

One hundred five enrolled patients with high levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C, > 100 mg/dL) took 10 mg atorvastatin. After 6 months, they were divided into 'Responder group' (LDL-C < 100 mg/dL) and 'Non-responder group' (LDL-C ≥ 100 mg/dL), and the response rate was calculated. Thereafter, we subdivided the 'Responder group' into Maintenance (10 mg), Reduced dosage (5 mg), and Discontinuance group (0 mg). The 'Non-Responder group' was subdivided into Maintenance (10 mg) and Double dosage group (20 mg). After consecutive 6 months, the response rates of each 10 mg Maintenance groups were compared to those of the other groups, respectively.

Following the first 6 months, the response rate of 10 mg fixed dosage was 74.3%. In the 'Responder group', response rates of 10 mg, 5 mg and Discontinuance groups following 6 months were 52.6%, 53.1%, and 12.5%, respectively. In the 'Non-responder group', response rates of 10 mg and 20 mg groups were 28.6% and 50.0%. Baseline LDL-C levels and body mass index (BMI) of 'Responder group' were significantly lower than those of 'Non-responder group' (P = 0.004, respectively).

Hypercholesterolemia treatment with 10 mg, fixed dosage of atorvastatin was effective in three quarters of the subjects during the first 6-month treatment; however, a significant number of patients with high LDL-C levels and/or BMI require higher starting and maintenance dosage.