In an observational multi-centre study (CHALLENGE), the effects were assessed of starting treatment with low doses of rosuvastatin in statin naive patients with a history of coronary heart disease (CHD), peripheral vascular disease (PVD), cerebrovascular accident (CVA), transient ischemic attack (TIA) or diabetes (DM), on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal achievement. Also proportional changes in LDL-C, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and the ratio TC/HDL-C were studied.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients eligible for the study were high-risk patients with a documented history of CHD, PVD, cerebrovascular atherosclerotic disease, DM II or DM I with microalbuminuria. LDL-C had to be > 2.5 mmol/l and the patient did not use any cholesterol lowering medication during the last 3 months preceding inclusion. The specialist made the decision to start treatment with rosuvastatin irrespective of study participation. Patient approved to place anonymous results at the disposal of AstraZeneca

Exclusion Criteria:

• Exclusion criteria included patients familiar with muscular pain, myopathy or liver function disorders (inclusive elevation of serum transaminases), patients with familial dyslipideamia like familial hypercholesterolaemia and familial combined hyperlipid