More than half of patients on ­statins for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease may fail to achieve an optimal reduction in ­cholesterol within two years, research suggests.

In a UK prospective cohort study, University of Nottingham researchers analysed data from 165,000 patients in primary care, providing a ‘real world’ picture of optimal response to statins, which they defined as a 40% or more reduction in LDL cholesterol within 24 months of starting the drug.

All patients (mean age 62) were free of CVD prior to statin therapy.

The study showed 51% of patients failed to respond optimally and were 22% more likely to have a CV event than optimal responders.