Outcome Measures and Follow-Up
The effectiveness outcome measures in this study included: (1) a primary composite outcome of CVD-associated death, non-fatal ACS, and non-fatal stroke within 1 month and within 12 months of discharge among high-intensity statin naïve patients who were discharged on either atorvastatin 40mg or 80mg; (2) secondary effectiveness outcomes, including, all-cause mortality, CV mortality, fatal or non-fatal stroke, fatal or non-fatal ACS, coronary revascularization, stent thrombosis, and stent restenosis within 1 month and 12 months post-discharge and; (3) lowering LDL-C by ≥ 50% from baseline or LDL-C < 70mg/dL. On the other hand, the safety outcome measures of the study included: (1) myopathy; (2) rhabdomyolysis; (3) elevation of ALT or AST > three upper limits of normal and; (4) any adverse drug event requiring statin discontinuation. Predictors of prescribing atorvastatin 80mg among ACS patients, including several patient-related, disease-related, and medication-related factors, such as demographics, comorbid diseases, and concomitant prescription drugs during hospitalization were also measured. Patients were followed-up for 1 year post-discharge date, or until the occurrence of the primary endpoint, or until censoring if they were lost to follow-up.