Chronotherapeutic Effects of Atorvastatin Administration on Lipid Profile in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Sepideh  Tavanaei Fard; Zoleika  Moazezi; Akramasadat  Hosseini; Hoda  Shirafkan; Ali Nosrati  Andevari; Neda  Meftah

doi:10.18502/aptj.v5i4.21762

Sepideh Tavanaei Fard Student Committee Research Internal Assistant Babol University of Medical Sciences Babol Iran.
Zoleika Moazezi Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine Rouhani Hospital Babol University of Medical Sciences.
Akramasadat Hosseini Department of Pathology, School of Medicine Cancer Research Center Health Research Institute Babol University of Medical Sciences.
Hoda Shirafkan Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine Social Determinants of Health Research Center Health Research Institute Babol University of Medical Sciences
Ali Nosrati Andevari Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Afzalipour Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Neda Meftah Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine Rouhani Hospital Babol University of Medical Sciences.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/aptj.v5i4.21762

Keywords: Type 2 diabetes mellitus, Atorvastatin, Lipid profile, Statin, Morning vs evening administration, Randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is commonly associated with dyslipidemia and increased cardiovascular risk. Atorvastatin, a widely used statin, effectively improves lipid profiles. This study aimed to compare the effects of morning versus evening administration of atorvastatin on lipid parameters in patients with T2DM.

Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled trial enrolled 76 patients with T2DM, randomly assigned to receive Atorvastatin 40 mg either in the morning (n=38) or evening (n=38) for 4 weeks. Fasting serum triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured at baseline and post-treatment. Baseline lipid values were included as covariates in ANCOVA to compare post-treatment levels between groups.

Results: Atorvastatin significantly improved lipid profiles in both groups: LDL-C, TG, and TC decreased (P<0.05), while HDL-C increased (P<0.001) compared to baseline. After adjusting for baseline values, no significant differences were observed between morning and evening groups in LDL-C, HDL-C, TG, or TC (P>0.05).

Conclusion: Four weeks of Atorvastatin therapy significantly improved lipid profiles in patients with T2DM, irrespective of administration time. These findings suggest that dosing flexibility may enhance patient adherence without compromising efficacy.