Niacin in patients with low HDL cholesterol levels receiving intensive statin therapy (AIM-HIGH)
AIM-HIGH Investigators, Boden WE, Probstfield JL, Anderson T, Chaitman BR
Published in New England Journal of Medicine
Methodology
Randomised trial of extended-release niacin 1500-2000 mg versus placebo added to simvastatin in 3,414 patients with established cardiovascular disease.
Key Findings
Niacin raised HDL cholesterol and lowered triglycerides but produced no reduction in cardiovascular events; the trial was stopped early for futility.
Conclusions
Adding niacin to statin therapy provides no incremental clinical benefit despite favourable lipid changes.
Limitations
Stopped early; background statin therapy may limit generalisability to statin-intolerant patients.
Supplements Studied
Niacin raised HDL cholesterol and lowered triglycerides but produced no reduction in cardiovascular events.
Outcomes Measured
Niacin significantly raised HDL cholesterol without translating into clinical benefit.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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