Abstract: Aim To evaluate the curatice effect of micronised fenofibrate on primary hyperlipidemia in the elderly patients. Methods Fifty two old patients aged from 60 to 76 years with primary hyperlipidemia with total serum cholesterol (TC) greater than 5.20 m mol/L(200 mg/dl) and / or triglyceride (TG) ranging from 2.0 to 5.7 m mol/L (180 ~ 500 mg/dl), were randomly allocated into the fenofibrate or the placebo group. Each case was given oral 200 mg micronised fenofibrate or placebo per day for eight weeks. Results After treatment for four weeks, the serum levels of TC, TG, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), and the ratio of [TC-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC)/ HDLC were more significantly lowered, and the level of HDLC was more significantly increased, in the micronised fenofibrate group than in the placebo one, respectively (P ＜0.01 or P ＜0.05) After treatment for eight weeks the similar effects were observed and the lowering range of the serum levels of TC, TG, LDLC, and the ratio of (TC-HDLC)/HDLC in the fenofibrate group were separately 32.9%, 53.7%, 29.4% and 41.9%, which much higher than these in the placebo group (P ＜0.01 or P ＜0.05). The drug was well-tolerated by all patients and no significant side effect was observed. Conclusion The micronised fenofibrate is highly effective in lowering serum TG as well as effective in lowering TC and LDLC. This agent is safe and tolerable in the elderly patients with hyperlipidemia

Key words: fenofibrate, hyperlipidemia