Type IV Hyperlipoproteinemia: Clofibrate Without Dietary Therapy

Since weight reduction, the cornerstone of treatment in type IV hyperlipoproteinemia, has poor patient acceptance, clofibrate (2 gm/day) was evaluated in a double-blind study prior to dietary therapy in 12 patients. Mean plasma triglyceride levels fell with clofibrate (429 mg/100 ml to 255 mg/100 ml) but not with placebo (565 mg/100 ml). In most patients, cholesterol levels were unchanged. Although clofibrate alone may be effective in certain type IV patients if both cholesterol and triglyceride levels are substantially reduced, it is no substitute for adequate dietary therapy.