Lipid-Lowering Drugs Save Lives, but Use Decreasing
By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter
FRIDAY, Dec. 1, 2023 -- Lipid-lowering drugs for primary prevention are associated with a significant survival benefit, but use has decreased over time, according to a study published online Nov. 16 in Circulation.
Jeremy Miles, M.D., from the Montefiore Healthcare Network/Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City, and colleagues evaluated the predictors of long-term mortality in a large racially and ethnically diverse U.S. patient cohort with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ≥190 mg/dL. The analysis included 18,740 patients (2010 through 2020).
The researchers found that high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and body mass index extremes were associated with higher mortality. Higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels were associated with an increased nine-year mortality risk in adjusted models. Higher mortality was associated with clinical factors such as male sex, older age, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and body mass index <20 kg/m2. A significant survival benefit was seen with lipid-lowering therapy. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol <40 mg/dL was independently associated with higher mortality. Over time, there was a significant reduction noted in statin use: 56 percent of patients on primary prevention and 85 percent of those on secondary prevention were on statin therapy from 2019 to 2020.
"Our results support efforts geared toward early recognition and consistent treatment for patients with severe hypercholesterolemia," the authors write.
Several authors disclosed ties to industry.
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2024 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Posted December 2023
Read this next
Apple Cider Vinegar Beneficial for Overweight, Obese Individuals
WEDNESDAY, March 13, 2024 -- For overweight and obese individuals, apple cider vinegar (ACV) consumption is associated with a significant reduction in anthropometric variables, as...
Dyslipidemia Raising Risk for CVD Among Young American Indians
TUESDAY, March 12, 2024 -- Dyslipidemia is associated with subclinical and clinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) among young American Indians, according to a study published...
2015 to 2021 Saw Marked Rise in PCSK9 Inhibitor Utilization
TUESDAY, March 5, 2024 -- Barriers for proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor (PCSK9i) use persist for cholesterol management, according to a research letter...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.