Biostatistical analysis of morbidity and Mortality due to myocardial infarction and its prevention by hypolipidemic drug regimen

Old age,chronic continuous smoking,alcohol intake,high blood pressure,sedentary life style,high serum lipid levels are well known risk factors for atherogenesis leading to morbidity and mortality due to myocardial infarction. the research study was planned to observe effects of nicotinic acid (niacin) and psyllium husk on blood pressure,body weight,ldl-cholesterol,triglycerides and hdl-cholesterol. it was single blind placebo controlled research study,which was conducted at lahore journal hospital,from april 2010 to december 2010. one hundred and ninety-five male and female hyperlipidemic patients were included in the research study,among which 65 were on placebo as control group,65 were on tablet niacin,2.25 grams daily,in divided doses for the period of three months and 65 patients on combined drug therapy; i.e. niacin 2.25 grams + psyllium husk 10 grams in divided doses for the period of three months. diabetes mellitus,peptic ulcer,renal disease,hepatic disease,hypothyroidism and alcoholism were exclusion criteria for all participants in this research work. body weight and blood pressure of patients were recorded at fortnightly visit. all parameters of lipid profile were estimated at day-0 (at start of research work) and at day-90 (at the end of the research work). ldl-cholesterol was calculated by friedwald formula (ldl=tc- (tg/5+hdl-c). serum hdl-cholesterol was determined by direct method. serum cholesterol and triglycerides were estimated by the enzymatic calorimetric method. data regarding results were expressed as the mean ± sd and t test was applied to determine statistical significance of results. a probability value of <0.05 was the limit of significance. two patients were dropped from drug-1 group of the research work due to their personal reasons. in three months of treatment with 2.25 grams of niacin hdl-cholesterol increased 16.8 %,ldl-c decreased 22.7 %,triglycerides 15.3%,systolic blood pressure 2.2 %,diastolic blood pressure 1.4%,and body weight decreased 1.9 %. with combination therapy by niacin + psyllium,hdl-c increased 17.5%,ldl-c decreased 25.6%,triglycerides 18.9%,systolic blood pressure 2.3%,diastolic blood pressure 3.3%,and body weight reduced 2.9%,when compared with placebo group. we concluded from the research study that niacin alone and in combination with psyllium husk decreases blood pressure,body weight,triglycerides,ldl-cholesterol and increases hdl-cholesterol in primary hyperlipidemic patients,which can be a statistical significance of hypolipidemic agents to decrease risk of myocardial infarction,so the decrease in morbidity/ mortality rate due to this condition.