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Gemfibrozil reduced the risk for stroke in men with coronary heart disease and low concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol

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 QUESTION: In men with coronary artery disease and low concentrations of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, is gemfibrozil effective for preventing stroke?

Design

Randomised {allocation concealed*}, blinded {patients, outcome assessors, and study personnel},* placebo-controlled trial with mean 5.1 years of follow up (Veterans Affairs HDL Cholesterol Intervention Trial [VA-HIT]).

Setting

20 Veterans Affairs medical centres in the USA.

Patients

2531 men who were < 74 years of age (mean age 64 y) and had a confirmed diagnosis of coronary artery disease, an HDL cholesterol level < 1.03 mmol/l, a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level < 3.6 mmol/l, and a triglyceride level < 3.39 mmol/l. Follow up was complete.

Intervention

1264 men were allocated …

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Footnotes

  • Sources of funding: Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Research and Development, and Parke-Davis.

  • For correspondence: Dr H B Rubins, Section of General Internal Medicine (1110), VAMC, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA. Fax +1 612 725 2118.

  • * See glossary.

  • Rubins HB, Robins SJ, Collins D, et al. N Engl J Med 1999;342:410–8.

  • p Value provided by author.

  • § p Value calculated from data in article.