Comparison of Food and Nutrient Intakes between Japanese Dyslipidemic Patients with and without Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Lowering Drug Therapy: A Cross-Sectional Study.

AIM: We aimed to clarify actual food and nutrient intakes in Japanese patients with dyslipidemia. We also compared food and nutrient intakes between patients with and without low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering drug therapy. METHODS: Food and nutrient intakes were assessed employing 3-day weighted dietary records in this cross-sectional study of 104 Japanese outpatients with dyslipidemia, age 30-65 years, not given dietary counseling. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured after an overnight fast. Food and nutrient intakes were compared between patients with versus without LDL-C lowering drug prescriptions. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed to identify relationships between the serum LDL-C concentrations and food intakes. RESULTS: Of the 104 patients, 43.3% were prescribed LDL-C lowering drugs, primarily statins. Of the total patients, 83% had lipid intakes over 25% of total energy consumption (%E), exceeding the recommendation for dyslipidemia by the Japan Atherosclerosis Society. Similarly, 77% had saturated fatty acid intakes over 7%E, and 88% had cholesterol intakes over 200 mg per day. Dietary fiber consumption was low (＜25 g) in 97% of patients. Those taking LDL-C lowering drugs consumed less "meat, poultry and processed meat products" and "cereals", and more "fish", "fruits" and "nuts", than patients not taking these drugs (p＜0.05). Food intakes correlating with LDL-C concentrations independently of drug therapy differed between patients taking versus not taking these medications. CONCLUSION: Our results support the necessity of diet therapy for patients with dyslipidemia regardless of whether LDL-C lowering drugs are prescribed.The clinical trial registration number: UMIN000022955.

Dietary Intake during 56 Weeks of a Low-Fat Diet for Lomitapide Treatment in Japanese Patients with Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia.

AIM: Lomitapide is an oral inhibitor of the microsomal triglyceride transfer protein used to treat homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH); patients require a low-fat diet to minimize gastrointestinal adverse effects and dietary supplements to prevent nutrient deficiencies. We investigated the diet and nutritional status during lomitapide treatment. METHODS: Japanese patients with HoFH, who were in a phase 3 trial of lomitapide, were instructed to start low-fat diets with supplements of vitamin E and essential fatty acids 6 weeks before starting lomitapide treatment. Dietary education was conducted by registered dietitians 16 times during the study period, which included a pre-treatment run-in phase (Weeks －6-0), a lomitapide treatment efficacy phase (Weeks 0-26) and a safety phase (Weeks 26-56). Two-day dietary records were collected at each dietary counseling session. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured at Weeks 0, 26 and 56. RESULTS: Eight patients completed the 56 weeks of lomitapide treatment. Their median energy intakes derived from lipids were 19.2% and 17.9% during the efficacy and safety phases, respectively. "Fats and oils" intakes, and "Fatty meat and poultry" intakes in two patients, were successfully reduced to achieve low-fat diets. Although intakes of energy, fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins did not differ significantly among phases, body weight, serum fatty acid levels and vitamin E concentrations were decreased at Week 26 as compared with Week 0. CONCLUSION: HoFH patients can adhere to low-fat diets with ongoing dietary counseling. Instructions about intakes of energy, fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins, as well as periodic evaluations of nutritional status, are necessary.