Moderate-intensity treatment with rosuvastatin may be the best statin option for lowering non-HDL cholesterol in patients with diabetes who are at risk of cardiovascular disease, UK researchers say.

The group has conducted the first meta-analysis in such patients that is based on levels of non-HDL cholesterol (non-HDL-C) rather than LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), in line with UK guidelines recommending it as the primary target for reducing cardiovascular risk. 

The University of Manchester-led study involved more than 11,000 adults with type 1 or type 2 diabetes from 42 randomised controlled trials and assessed the use of seven statins. 

Statin intensity was divided into three categories based on the percentage reduction in LDL-C: 20-30% was low, 31-39% was medium and greater than 40% was high intensity.