We conducted a meta-analysis of 13 randomized trials comparing the efficacy of rosuvastatin versus atorvastatin in reducing concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP). We searched PubMed, Ovid, and Elsevier databases until June 2014. Search terms included C-reactive protein or CRP, rosuvastatin, atorvastatin, randomized, randomly, and randomization; 13 trials (3798 patients) were included. Funnel plots for CRP were inspected to assess publication bias. The pooled analysis demonstrated the benefit of rosuvastatin over atorvastatin therapy for all 13 trials (mean difference [MD] = -0.11, which is standardized mean with no unit although the raw data before pooling is mg/L, 95% confidence interval -0.15 to -0.07, P < .0001) with no evidence of significant publication bias (I(2) = 6.9%, P = .377). Subgroup analysis indicated a significant benefit of rosuvastatin over atorvastatin regarding the 1/1 dose ratio (MD = -0.14, 95% CI -0.21 to -0.06) and 1/2 dose ratio (MD= -0.11, 95% CI -0.16 to -0.05). Cumulative and influence analyses showed accuracy and stability for the estimation mentioned earlier. Our meta-analysis shows that rosuvastatin produces better reduction in CRP concentrations than atorvastatin at a dose ratio of 1/1 and 1/2 (rosuvastatin/atorvastatin), respectively.
Keywords: C-reactive protein; atorvastatin; hyperlipidemia; inflammation; meta-analysis; rosuvastatin.
© The Author(s) 2015.