Characteristics of the initiators of simvastatin and atorvastatin therapy between January 1998 and June 2006 in Finland.

The study population restricted by the strength of the initiating drug and by the start of the follow-up at 270 days since the initiation is presented without and with the sequential matching by propensity score. CVD, cardiovascular disease; PTCA, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty; CAPG, coronary artery bypass craft surgery; COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; CAD, coronary artery disease; ACEI, angiotensin–converting-enzyme inhibitor; ABR, angiotensin receptor blocker. #Eligibility to special reimbursement any time prior to the initiation. §Use of donepezil, galantamine, memantine, or rivastigmine. P values are based on Chi2 test for categorical variables and Student's t test for continuous variables. * >0.1.