Yi Chin Ong1, Zoriah Aziz1. 1. Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Abstract
WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Red yeast rice is believed to be a useful alternative in the management of dyslipidaemia. However, the comparative effectiveness of red yeast rice and simvastatin for the management of dyslipidaemia is unknown. This review assesses the efficacy and safety of red yeast rice versus simvastatin in dyslipidaemia. METHODS: Electronic databases were searched up to May 2015 without publication date and language restriction. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool was used to assess the quality of included trials. Changes in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides were examined. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Ten randomized controlled trials involving 905 Chinese subjects with dyslipidaemia were systematically reviewed. Overall, red yeast rice and simvastatin did not show any statistically significant difference in any of the outcomes examined. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: A number of small trials show that red yeast rice and simvastatin produce similar lipid-lowering effects. Larger trials with increased methodological rigour and trials with clinical outcomes are necessary for more robust inferences.
WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Red yeastrice is believed to be a useful alternative in the management of dyslipidaemia. However, the comparative effectiveness of red yeastrice and simvastatin for the management of dyslipidaemia is unknown. This review assesses the efficacy and safety of red yeastrice versus simvastatin in dyslipidaemia. METHODS: Electronic databases were searched up to May 2015 without publication date and language restriction. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool was used to assess the quality of included trials. Changes in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides were examined. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Ten randomized controlled trials involving 905 Chinese subjects with dyslipidaemia were systematically reviewed. Overall, red yeastrice and simvastatin did not show any statistically significant difference in any of the outcomes examined. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: A number of small trials show that red yeastrice and simvastatin produce similar lipid-lowering effects. Larger trials with increased methodological rigour and trials with clinical outcomes are necessary for more robust inferences.