# Predictors of Significant High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Reduction After Use of Rosuvastatin/Amlodipine and Atorvastatin/Amlodipine—Subgroup Analysis in Randomized Controlled Trials

## TL;DR

This study identifies baseline hsCRP levels and specific drug dosages as predictors of significant hsCRP reduction in patients using statin-amlodipine combinations, finding no link to BMI.

## Contribution

The study introduces baseline hsCRP ≥ 2 mg/dL and RSV 20 mg/AML 5 mg as novel predictors of significant hsCRP reduction in patients using statin-amlodipine combinations.

## Key findings

- Baseline hsCRP ≥ 2 mg/dL and RSV 20 mg/AML 5 mg were independent predictors of significant hsCRP reduction.
- BMI categories (normal weight, pre-obesity, obesity) were not independent predictors of hsCRP reduction.
- Median hsCRP reduction rates were less than 40% across BMI groups with no significant differences.

## Abstract

Introduction: There are no clear predictors of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) reductions following the use of antihypertensives and statins. Also, there are no clear data on the effect of BMI on hsCRP changes following the use of antihypertensives and statins. Therefore, we sought to identify predictors of significant hsCRP reduction after the use of rosuvastatin (RSV)/amlodipine (AML) and atorvastatin (ATV)/AML. Methods: We included 237 patients from 21 institutions in the Republic of Korea. Patients were randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups: RSV 10 mg/AML 5 mg; RSV 20 mg/AML 5 mg; or ATV 20 mg/AML 5 mg. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the predictors for hsCRP responders (hsCRP reduction ≥ 40% after 8 weeks). We also compared baseline hsCRP levels and their changes after 8 weeks between obese patients (n = 153) and nonobese patients (n = 84). Results: Baseline hsCRP ≥ 2 mg/dL and RSV 20 mg/AML 5 mg were independent predictors of hsCRP responders. Their median hsCRP % change rates were −53.11% and −40.0%, respectively. Normal weight, pre-obesity, and obesity were not independent predictors of hsCRP responders. The median hsCRP % reduction rates among normal weight, pre-obese, and obese patients were less than 40% in all groups, and the differences between each group were not significant (−20.0% vs. −33.33 vs. −23.08%, p = 0.289). Conclusions: In patients with ATV, RSV/AML polypill, baseline hsCRP ≥ 2 mg/dL, and baseline RSV 20 mg/AML 5 mg were independent predictors of a significant hsCRP reduction. BMI was not associated with hsCRP reduction (Clinical trial: NCT03951207).