Application of the Weibull Model to Statins for Triglyceride Management in Patients With Hyperlipidaemia

Dyslipidemia, characterized by abnormal serum cholesterol or triglyceride (TG) concentrations, is prevalent among middle-aged and older adults and contributes to atherosclerosis and increased cardiovascular risk. Although oral statins effectively decrease low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, patients with high-TG concentrations remain at significant risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Weibull analysis, a statistical method widely applied in reliability engineering and medicine, is suitable for assessing arterial stiffness, which reflects vascular aging or deterioration. This study explored the relationship between TG concentrations and arterial stiffness via Weibull analysis in patients treated with statins (STG) and patients without statin treatment (No-STG). The mode of the Weibull distribution was greater for STG (97.8 mg/dL) than for No-STG (80.7 mg/dL). Notably, compared with No-STG patients, STG patients presented lower hazard functions for TG concentrations up to 170 mg/dL. However, above 170 mg/dL, the hazard function for STG was equal to or slightly greater than that for No-STG. These findings suggest that without statin therapy, atherosclerosis may develop at lower TG concentrations, whereas statins effectively delay its onset. However, the data also highlight the limitations of statins in significantly reducing TG concentrations. This information underscores the importance of patient education in preventing the progression of atherosclerosis. Encouraging lifestyle changes, including improved exercise and dietary habits, can complement statin therapy to optimize cardiovascular health. These findings provide a basis for promoting patient awareness and fostering the proactive management of cardiovascular risk factors.