After completion of the 6- to 8-week run-in period, patients were randomised 2 : 1 to receive pitavastatin 4 mg or atorvas- tatin 20 mg. Randomisation was performed at the study centre using an interactive voice response system. Patients started treatment with pitavastatin 2 mg or atorvastatin 10 mg and were force-titrated to pitavastatin 4 mg or atorvastatin 20 mg, respectively, at week 4 and continued on these doses for a further 8 weeks. Each daily dose of treatment consisted of one small tablet, one large tablet, and one capsule, of which one was active treatment and two were placebo. Studies confirmed that over encapsulation did not affect tablet dissolution. All treatment was taken orally with water in the evening before bedtime. Pitavastatin 2 and 4 mg tablets and matching placebo tablets were manufactured by SkyePharma Production (Saint Quentin-Fallavier, France), and atorvastatin 10 and 20 mg tablets (LipitorTM) were manufactured by Pfizer (Sandwich, UK). ALMAC (Craigavon, UK) encapsulated the atorvastatin tablets, and supplied matching placebo capsules.