Comparison of Efficacy and Safety of Statin–Ezetimibe Combination Therapy with Statin Monotherapy in Patients with Diabetes: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies

Introduction Dyslipidemia in diabetes mellitus is characterized by hypertriglyceridemia, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Additionally, the potentially increased risk of morbidity and mortality following atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases should be considered in the treatment of dyslipidemia in patients with diabetes. Methods We performed a meta-analysis of the published data to compare the effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin)–ezetimibe combination therapy and statin monotherapy on lipid and glucose parameters in patients with diabetes. We also compared safety based on the adverse events reported for the two groups. Results In total, 17 articles were included in this meta-analysis. In the efficacy assessment, the combination treatment afforded a significantly greater reduction in LDL-C than did statin monotherapy (standard difference in means 0.691; 95% confidence interval 0.534–0.847). A significantly greater improvement effect was observed in the levels of HDL-C, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and apolipoprotein B, but not apolipoprotein A1, with combination therapy than with statin monotherapy. Additionally, combination therapy reduced fasting blood glucose levels more significantly than did statin monotherapy. In terms of safety, there were no significant differences in treatment-related adverse events between the two treatments. Conclusions Statin–ezetimibe combination therapy enhances levels of LDL-C and other lipids without increasing the risk of adverse events compared with statin monotherapy. The present meta-analysis presents valid evidence for appropriate drug regimens to treat dyslipidemia in patients with diabetes. Registration PROSPERO Identifier Number CRD42021244578